Flores Monarch Symposiachrus sacerdotum Scientific name definitions

15·5 cm. Small to medium-sized flycatcher with plumage strikingly dark grey and white , bill narrow, pointed and hooked at tip. Forehead and face to ear-coverts and chin and throat are black, crown and upperparts dark grey; wings blackish, flight-feathers narrowly edged pale grey, tail black, white outer rectrices; iris dark; bill pale grey; legs grey or dark grey. Differs from similar S. trivirgatus in lacking rufous in plumage. Sexes alike. Juvenile undescribed; immature similar to adult but more blue-grey on upperparts, dark grey flight-feathers, mostly whitish underparts with variable amount of peachy wash on breast.

W Flores, in Lesser Sundas.

A nasal “schr schr schr” followed by rich, flute-like whistle  rising towards end; also a single upward-inflected whistle repeated three or four times, a harsh “sjay-sjay” alarm note, and a softer warbling chatter interspersed with up to 4 upward-inflected “wheee” or “pswee” whistles; also buzzing and chattering notes typical of genus.

ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: present in Northern Nusa Tenggara EBA. Uncommon or locally common. Tentative density estimates of 2·3 birds/ha in suitable habitat in 1993. Originally thought to occur only within Tanjung Kerita Mese region (and proposed protection area) and provisionally also in Ruteng Nature Recreation Park. Subsequently recorded at other locations, and in 2002 a new population discovered in Nggalak-Rego forest, c. 30 km from nearest previously known locality. Considered to be under threat through loss and fragmentation of forest habitat resulting from felling for cultivation, dry-season burn-off and road construction.