Black-naped Monarch, 6/10/2012

Black-naped Monarch is Taiwan local bird, commonly seen in foliage forest at low to mid altitudes. Its plumage is mainly blue. Its cries are loud and high. Black-naped Monarches can be seen all year round in Taipei Botanical Garden. They are among the main bird species in Taipei Botanical Garden. Spring and summer are the breeding seasons. When guarding their nest, they are not scared of anything. They will chase the squirrel away from their nest, though they are about ten times smaller in size. It's kind of funny that the squirrel will run away like a coward when chased. Probably the squirrel is afraid of the sharp bill of the Monarch. Otherwise I can't see anything on the Monarch body that can be used as a weapon.


Male bird guarding the nest, photographed on 6/7/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden




Male bird guarding the nest, photographed on 6/10/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden




Male bird guarding the nest, photographed on 6/10/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden




Male bird guarding the nest, photographed on 6/10/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden




Female bird guarding the nest, photographed on 6/10/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden




Baby birds, photographed on 6/10/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden




Video recorded on 6/10/2012 at Taipei Botanical Garden

Chinese name:	黑枕藍鶲
English name:	Black-naped Monarch, Black-naped Blue Monarch
Nickname:
Scientific name:	Hypothymis azurea
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Musciapidae
Species status:	Taiwan Endemic subspecies
Conservation status:	Least Concern
Migration status:	Taiwan local bird
Frequency of appearance:	Common in Taiwan
Foods:	insects
Habitat:	Woodlands
Altitude:	Low to mid-altitudes
Behavior:	Often appear alone in foliage forest.
Characteristics:	General Characteristics: About 15 cm long. Male's head, neck, back and tail are blue, with a black nape. Male's belly is white. Female's head is grayish blue, and its back and tail are grayish brown. Summer Plumage: Winter Plumage: Similar species:
Breeding places:	India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Southeast Asia, mainland China, Taiwan, etc.
Migration destinations:
Time photographed:	6/7/2012, 6/10/2012
Location found:	Taipei Botanical Garden
Sources:	Internet
Notes: