• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has a restricted range and the area and quality of its habitat are undergoing a continuing decline as a result of ongoing forest loss and degradation. It is therefore classified as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as common or locally common (del Hoyo et al. 2006, Dutson 2011, Weeks et al. 2017).

Trend justification
This population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing logging of forests within its small range (del Hoyo et al. 2006, Clement 2020). In the ten years to 2021, remote sensing data indicate that 5-7% of forest was lost in this species' range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) and this may accelerate slightly (to a rate equivalent to 7-9%) in the future based on losses in 2016-2021. As the species also occurs in secondary habitat, the rate of population decline is tentatively placed here in the range 1-9% within ten years.

The species is endemic to Vella Lavella, Ranongga, Gizo, Kolombangara, New Georgia, Vangunu, Gatukai Group, Rendova and Tetepare in the Solomon Islands.

It is common in forest and scrub, but less common in mountains, up to 1,300 m (Dutson 2011, Weeks et al. 2017). It is a stolid gleaner at all levels in forest and forages more than other monarchs in creepers and tangles (Dutson 2011). It is usually seen in pairs, mostly in small parties and mixed-species foraging flocks, generally with other monarchids and white-eyes (Zosterops) (Clement 2020).

The primary threat to this species is logging within its small range (del Hoyo et al. 2006, Clement 2020) and the species is suspected to be declining as a result. Remote sensing data indicate that forest loss is ongoing within this species' range (Global Forest Watch 2022, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Regularly monitor the species at selected sites. Protect significant areas of remaining primary forest from logging on all islands where it occurs.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-capped Monarch Monarcha richardsii. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-capped-monarch-monarcha-richardsii on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.