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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Monarchidae
  4. ›
  5. Carterornis
  6. ›
  7. White-eared Monarch
White-eared Monarch
Photo · (c) Damien O'Donnell, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

White-eared Monarch

Carterornis leucotis(Gould, 1850)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Monarchidae
Genus
Carterornis

At a glance

The White-eared Monarch is a small bird, about 15 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
15 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a White-eared Monarch look like?

The White-eared Monarch is a small bird, about 15 cm long and weighing 11–18 g.

The white-eared monarch, or white-eared flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is endemic to north-eastern Australia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The white-eared monarch was originally described in the genus Monarcha until moved to Carterornis in 2009.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
15 cm
Weight
10.8–17.5 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a White-eared Monarch?

The White-eared Monarch 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

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Greg Tasney · Kingsholme QLD 4208, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a White-eared Monarch eat?

The White-eared Monarch feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the White-eared Monarch live in Australia?

The White-eared Monarch is endemic to Australia, recorded across 11 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingFar north-east QLD to north-east NSW (east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

7 regions recorded