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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Cuculidae
  4. ›
  5. Chalcites
  6. ›
  7. Black-eared Cuckoo
Black-eared Cuckoo
Photo · (c) Thomas Mesaglio, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Black-eared Cuckoo

Chalcites osculansGould, 1847

Updated 21 March 2026

Also known asDwer-a-ba

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Breeding Endemic
Order
CUCULIFORMES
Family
Cuculidae
Genus
Chalcites

At a glance

The Black-eared Cuckoo is a small bird, about 19 cm long, listed as Least Concern. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Breeding Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Black-eared Cuckoo look like?

The Black-eared Cuckoo is a small bird, about 19 cm long and weighing 26–39 g.

The black-eared cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. Found across Australia, it migrates to eastern Indonesia and southern New Guinea. They are usually observed by themselves or in a pair as they don't raise their own young, rather they leave eggs in another species nest to be raised by host. This species was formerly placed in the genus Chrysococcyx.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19 cm
Weight
25.5–38.5 g
Wingspan
32 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Black-eared Cuckoo?

The Black-eared Cuckoo is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Black-eared Cuckoo eat?

The Black-eared Cuckoo feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Black-eared Cuckoo live in Australia?

The Black-eared Cuckoo is found in Australia, recorded across 75 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except Tasmania)

Non-breedingTo east Indonesian Arch. and south New Guinea

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

7 regions recorded