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

Abyssinian Scimitarbill

Rhinopomastus minor

The Abyssinian Scimitarbill is a slender, dark wood-hoopoe distinguished by its strongly decurved, brightly colored bill and a lack of white plumage markings. It is a specialized insectivore adapted to the arid thorn-scrub environments of East Africa.

What it sounds like

A series of clear, fluty, whistling notes often rendered as 'pue-pue-pue-pue' or a rising 'whee-whee-whee'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · KenyaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike the similar Common Scimitarbill, this species possesses a bright red or orange-yellow bill rather than a black one.
It is unique among most wood-hoopoes for lacking white spots on the tail and white patches on the wings.
The bird uses its highly specialized bill as a probe to extract spiders and insect larvae from deep within bark crevices.
They are cooperative breeders, with family members assisting the primary pair in defending the territory and feeding young.
This species is predominantly non-migratory, remaining in its dry savanna habitat throughout the year.

Habitat

Arid thornbush, dry acacia savanna, and semi-desert scrublands.

Range

East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and northern Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black ScimitarbillRhinopomastus aterrimus Common ScimitarbillRhinopomastus cyanomelas Forest ScimitarbillRhinopomastus castaneiceps

Heard a Abyssinian Scimitarbill?

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