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Black-eared CuckooSize: 19-21 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Black-eared Cuckoos breed in the inland of the southern half of the Australian continent, in three major areas: Basically all of inland NSW and southern QLD; most of the western half and the south-eastern corner of SA; south-eastern WA (but not the tip of the continent). From there they migrate north outside the breeding season, populating the Kimberleys, all of the tropical north of the continent and all of the NT and QLD (except the QLD south coast). Except for the south coast of SA and Cape York, they are not found anywhere on the south or east coast of Australia. Some also migrate across the Torres Strait.
Black-eared Cuckoos are usually found in relatively open country, with shrubs, bushes and widely spaced trees and also in open woodland, mostly in the semi-arid interior.
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Sightings |
A Black-eared Cuckoo was a regular summertime visitor at the farm where we lived in 2003-2006, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. It was easy to identify by its call, albeit sometimes hard to spot in trees or on the ground. Its presence was made apparent by its melancholic calls.
Black-eared Cuckoos are migrants to northern Australia. They arrive further south earlier than migrants coming across the Torres Strait from Papua New Guinea (or further). Heard and seen by us again 20 km east of Narrabri in August/September 2010. First heard again the following year in mid-August 2011.
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Photos |
Lateral view of a Black-eared Cuckoo
Black-eared Cuckoo sitting in a White Cedar tree
Other way around, look into the light please...
Here the same bird sitting in a paddock
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Migratory | Elementary unit: Solitary/pair |
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Food |
Like most other cuckoos, Black-eared Cuckoos are insect hunters. They take their prey from foliage and from the ground. This species has a rare taste for hairy caterpillars that most other bird species dislike.
