Pale-blue Monarch

Pale-blue Monarch is a small passerine bird in the family Monarchidae endemic to eastern Indonesia. The pale-blue monarch was originally described in the genus Myiagra and then classified as subspecies of the widespread black-naped monarch, Hypothymis azurea, until split by the IOC in 2013 to describe a new species. Some other authourities have not yet adopted this species split. The alternate name Moluccan monarch should not be confused with the species of the same name, Symposiachrus bimaculatus. (Wikipedia, general species account).

Two subspecies are recognized: H. p. puella - (Wallace, 1863): Found on Sulawesi and adjacent islands H. p. blasii - Hartert, 1898: Found in the Banggai archipelago. The species is a forest species which builds a small cup nest. Additional alternate names for the pale-blue monarch include Pacific monarch (a name shared with the buff-bellied monarch), Pacific small monarch and small monarch. Notable features include short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. (Wikipedia, general species account).