They are named after their cat-like wails and black ear spot.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyBowerbirds
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
Habitatclosed forest, open woodland, grassland, waterbodies, and sparse woodland
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from August to November.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by George Wagner
Range map
Range map
117visible hotspots
3665visible records
1states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Taxonomy The black-eared catbird was formally described in 1858 as Ptilonorhynchus melanotis by the English zoologist George Gray based on a specimen collected by Alfred Russel Wallace in the Aru Islands.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Commonly confused with
Tooth-billed BowerbirdScenopoeetes dentirostrisMedium-sized, chunky rainforest bird, found in a small area of higher-elevation rainforest in coastal northern Queensland. Dark brown upperparts and pale underparts with blurry brown streaking. Bill has serration that resembles teeth. Male clears a section of rainforest floor and decorates it with fresh green leaves when breeding.→Golden BowerbirdPrionodura newtonianaMale has stunning bright yellow underparts, yellowish-brown face, and dull yellowish back. Female olive brown above, gray below.→