Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)
Order: PASSERIFORMES
Family: MONARCHIDAE Monarchs
Scientific name: Hypothymis azurea
English name: Black-naped Monarch
Characteristic: Size 17 cm. A male is mostly bright blue throughout the body, except a small patch of black feathers at its nape and a dark band under its throat; the belly is much paler, being whitish. A female is subdued in body coloration and lacking a black nape patch and a dark throat band.
Distribution: From India to Southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, the Sundas, the Pillippines, the Andamans, the Nicobars and SE Asia.
Habitat: Dry evergreen forest, dipterocarp forest, secondary growth and bamboo forest.
Habit: Seen quite often as a single foraging individual, that secretly hiding among thick foliage of the medium and low levels. Prefers to hop among branches than to fly for a long distance. Breeding between June-August; the usual clutch is 3-4 eggs.
Status: Less frequently seen resident and migrant.
