Adult weight on average 30 grams (1.1 oz)[2] and are 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) long,[5] with dull greyish-brown back with distinctive black eye-stripe[6] from the bill to the neck.

[6] What distinguishes it from other small sized cuckoo species in Australia is that it doesn't have a metallic coloured feathers on its back.

[5] Chicks will give a chirp,[10] while in adults a descending feeeuw[5] or pee-o-weer[8] call in a lower mournful[5] tone than the Horsfield's bronze cuckoo,[10] which may be a singular or repeated.

[3] Breeding season varies depending on rain and location in Australia, generally the drier inland starts earlier in the year.

[15] Therefore, hatchings are raised by host species,[3] with speckled warblers having been observed feeding black-eared cuckoo chicks.