How accurate is Birdsong's bird identifier?

It runs Google's Perch, a research-grade acoustic model covering nearly 15,000 species. When a call is ambiguous, we say so honestly and let you record a second clip to confirm, rather than guessing.

Is my recording stored?

No. Your audio is used to identify the bird in the moment and isn't saved to our servers. The birds you confirm are kept as cards in your own field journal; the recordings themselves are not.

Is the bird identifier free?

Yes — identify birds every day for free, no account required. Birdsong Pro ($3.99/mo or $39.99/yr) unlocks unlimited IDs, full field guides, your growing collection, and shareable Field Report cards.

Do I need an account or internet to identify a bird?

You'll need a connection to identify, since the AI runs in the cloud. No account is needed to try it — sign in with Google or email to save your field journal and sync it across devices.

Birdsong field guide

Abbott's Babbler

Malacocincla abbotti

A small, drab-colored babbler notable for its heavy bill and short-tailed appearance, primarily observed skulking in dense undergrowth.

What it sounds like

A loud, distinctive three- or four-note musical whistle often transcribed as 'poor-ol-bear' or 'drop-it-now'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:55

Rec. Peter Ericsson · ThailandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a disproportionately thick bill compared to other members of its genus.
The species is highly terrestrial, frequently foraging for insects within leaf litter on the forest floor.
It is more often identified by its loud vocalizations than by sight due to its secretive nature in thickets.
Its nest is a bulky cup made of dead leaves and moss, typically hidden low in palms or tangled vines.
Unlike many other babblers, it is rarely seen in large mixed-species flocks, preferring pairs or small groups.

Habitat

Dense understory of broadleaf forests, secondary growth, scrub, and mangrove edges.

Range

South and Southeast Asia, from the eastern Himalayas through Indochina to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-browed BabblerMalacocincla perspicillata Horsfield's BabblerMalacocincla sepiaria

Heard a Abbott's Babbler?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

Identify a bird by its song