Golden Monarch

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Range C. c. kordensis Biak, Supiori. Taxonomy The Biak population is a well-differentiated taxon in which the sexes are very similar in having attractive, deep orange plumage. The nearest populations occur on neighbouring mainland New Guinea; however, Mayr & Meyer de Schauensee (1939) thought that kordensis is most closely related to nominate chrysomela of New Ireland, in the Bismarcks (Papua New Guinea). Beehler & Pratt (2016) suggested it may warrant treatment as a separate species. Status Biak endemic subspecies. Widespread and common. Obtained by most collectors and recorded by most visitors. Invariably seen in pairs, often in mixed flocks of insectivores, in well-developed secondary, selectively logged and primary lowland forest, but absent from scrub and poorly developed secondary woodland, to c. 610 m (Mayr & Meyer de Schauensee 1939). Breeding 5 October 2016: pair with a juvenile in the Warafri area (D. Beadle, eBird checklist S 32309891).