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.[1] Some other authourities have not yet adopted this species split.[2] The alternate name Moluccan monarch should not be confused with the species of the same name, Symposiachrus bimaculatus. 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.
Pale-blue monarch (Hypothymis puella) from Tangkoko, Sulawesi
H. p. puella - (Wallace, 1863): Found on Sulawesi and adjacent islands
H. p. blasii - Hartert, 1898: Found in the Banggai archipelago.
Behaviour and ecology
The pale-blue monarch is a forest species which builds a small cup nest. It has short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. It is insectivorous, often hunting by flycatching.
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