[2] Two subspecies of chestnut-eared aracari are recognized, the nominate P. c. castanotis (Gould, 1834) and P. c. australis (Cassin, 1867).

The bills of nominate subspecies adults have a yellow line at the base and a mostly black mandible.

They have blue facial skin and the sides of their face and their upper throat are brown to chestnut.

P. c. australis is found from south of the Amazon in north central Brazil south through northern Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina's Misiones Province into southeastern Brazil to Minas Gerais, São Paulo state, and Rio Grande do Sul.

[3] The chestnut-eared aracari is found in a wide variety of landscapes, many of which are characterized by standing or flowing water.

It also occurs at edges, clearings, and disturbed areas of drier forest, bamboo and canebrakes, cerrado, and coffee plantations.

[3] The chestnut-eared aracari does not make conventional migration but does gather in loose flocks and move for the austral winter into areas with much fruit such as plantations.

It forages at all levels of the forest, plucking fruit from branches (even while hanging upside down) and investigating and probing vines, shrubs, crevices, and cavities.