Bifunctional catalyst that is active for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is one of the most important components of rechargeable metal–air batteries. Nanostructured perovskite bifunctional catalysts comprising La , Co and Mn ( LaCo _1-x Mn _x O ₃, LCMO ) are synthesized by hydrothermal methods. The morphology, structure and electrochemical activity of the perovskite bifunctional catalysts are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) techniques. Nanorod, nanodisc and nanoparticle are typical morphologies of LCMO . The electrocatalytic activity of LCMO is significantly improved by the addition of conductive materials such as carbon nanotube. To demonstrate the practical utilization, LCMO in the composition of LaCo _0.8 Mn _0.2 O ₃( LCMO82 ) is used as air cathode catalysts for rechargeable zinc–air batteries. The battery prototype can sustain 470 h or 40 discharge–charge cycles equivalent.