Black-Naped Monarch
Hypothymis azurea
About This Species
Watch for quick aerial sallies from a low or mid-story perch as it snatches flying insects, often flicking its long tail and calling a sharp, repeated whistle. Males in breeding condition show a striking blue-and-black head that catches the light when they perch in more open spots at forest edges. Early morning activity in warmer, wetter months tends to bring the most reliable sightings.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A stationary vantage point near a favoured perch works better than following the bird through dense cover, which tends to push it deeper into vegetation.
- Wildlife protection rules vary by country across its range, so it is worth checking whether the site is a protected reserve with its own access restrictions.
- Limiting time spent near any perch used repeatedly for hunting helps avoid disrupting normal feeding behaviour.
LCAvesPasseriformesMonarchidae
Seasonal Activity
324,106 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
Photo
(c) nethmiwk, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.