Black-eared Cuckoo

Adult weight on average 30 grams (1.1 oz) and are 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) long, with dull greyish-brown back with distinctive black eye-stripe from the bill to the neck. Rump is pale white and breasts area is pale salmon in colour. Feet and legs are black, eyes are brown, bill is black tail is grey/brown on top, with white tips, while underneath the tail is cream with brownish bars. What distinguishes it from other small sized cuckoo species in Australia is that it doesn't have a metallic coloured feathers on its back. Juveniles are duller in colour with a more brown eye-stripe. Voice: Chicks will give a chirp, while in adults a descending feeeuw or pee-o-weer call in a lower mournful tone than the Horsfield's bronze cuckoo, which may be a singular or repeated. During courtship a call of pee-o-wit may be also heard. Males are often are observed calling from high branches but can still be found on lower branches