Ailuroedus melanotis
The Black-eared Catbird, Ailuroedus melanotis, is a strikingly beautiful medium-sized passerine, typically measuring 25-29 cm in length. Its most distinctive features include vibrant emerald-green plumage covering its body, a prominent black cap, and conspicuous black ear coverts that give the species its common name. A subtle whitish malar stripe borders the lower black ear patch, and its bright red eyes provide a piercing contrast to its dark bill. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Pt...
Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, lower montane forests, and dense forest edges, typically found from sea level up to 1700 meters in elevation.
Primarily frugivorous, consuming a wide array of fruits, especially figs, supplemented with insects (beetles, orthopterans) and occasionally flowers. Forages by gleaning from foliage and branches.
Diurnal and generally observed singly or in pairs, the Black-eared Catbird is a relatively shy inhabitant of dense forest undergrowth and canopy. Foraging involves gleaning fruits, insects, and some flowers from vegetation, often with acrobatic movements. Pairs maintain and defend territories, pa...
The Black-eared Catbird is endemic to the Australasian region, specifically inhabiting the island of New Guinea (encompassing both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian West Papua), the Aru Islands, and the Cape York Peninsula in far northern Queensland, Australia. Its distribution is fragmented across...
Least Concern
- Its distinctive calls are remarkably similar to the meow of a domestic cat, earning it its common name and making it easily identifiable. - Despite belonging to the bowerbird family (Ptilonorhynchidae), the Black-eared Catbird does not build an elaborate bower for courtship, a stark contrast to...