The black-eared ground thrush is a species of bird in the family Turdidae. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
West and Central African rainforests
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, from lowland primary rainforest to mid-elevation montane forest. It favors dense understory with abundant leaf litter, fallen logs, and vine tangles. Birds are most often detected in mature forest but may use well-shaded secondary growth and riparian corridors. It keeps close to the ground, moving between shadowed glades and thickets. Local elevational movements may occur along forested slopes where habitats remain continuous.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy forest-floor thrush marked by a distinctive dark patch over the ear-coverts, it often goes unnoticed as it forages in deep shade. It ranges from the Gulf of Guinea forests through the Congo Basin to western Uganda, where some populations have been treated as distinct subspecies. It is sensitive to forest degradation and fragmentation, relying on intact understory and leaf litter. When disturbed, it prefers to run or hop into cover rather than take long flights.
Temperament
solitary and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats close to the ground
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, keeping to dense understory. Nests are neat cup structures placed low in shrubs, on stumps, or in tree forks. Both parents are believed to participate in incubation and chick-rearing, with small clutches typical of forest thrushes. Territorial during the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of mellow, fluted whistles delivered from a concealed perch, often at dawn. Calls include thin seep notes and soft tchik sounds while foraging. Vocalizations carry softly through the understory rather than across open spaces.
