Animals that live on only one island or mountain in the whole world are called 'endemic' species. Islands create endemic species because populations become cut off from others and evolve on their own over thousands of years. Micronesia has many endemic birds because its islands have been separated by ocean for so long.
The Pohnpei flycatcher is a confident little bird. Despite being small, it does not hide. It perches at eye level on low branches and sings clearly, seeming quite happy to be watched. Its calls are a series of bright, cheerful phrases that echo through the forest.
Flycatchers are named for their hunting style. They sit still, watching for a flying insect, then launch in a quick burst, snap the insect out of the air with a click of their beak, and return to the same perch. The whole catch takes about one second. It is so fast you can miss it if you blink.
Pohnpei's rainforest is the flycatcher's whole world. It depends on the tall trees for perching, the shade for hunting insects, and the forest floor for the damp conditions that bring out the most bugs. Because it lives in only one place, protecting the rainforest of Pohnpei directly protects this bird.