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 Wheatear

Oenanthe lugubris

A robust, high-altitude chat of East African highlands known for its striking polymorphic plumage and affinity for rocky escarpments.

What it sounds like

A complex, liquid series of whistles and warbles, often incorporating high-pitched mimicry and harsh 'tack' alarm notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. isaac kilusu · TanzaniaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is primarily a highland specialist, typically occurring at elevations between 1,800 and 3,500 meters.
The species is highly polymorphic; the 'Schalow’s' subspecies includes a morph that is almost entirely black except for the vent.
Formerly considered a subspecies of the Mourning Wheatear, it is now recognized as a distinct species based on genetics and vocalizations.
It is a sedentary resident across its range, unlike many northern wheatear species that are highly migratory.
The bird often engages in 'wing-flicking' and tail-fanning displays while perched on prominent boulders.

Habitat

Steep rocky slopes, cliffs, mountain plateaus, and afro-alpine moorlands with scattered scrub.

Range

Highlands of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and northern Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Arabian WheatearOenanthe lugentoides Atlas WheatearOenanthe seebohmi Black WheatearOenanthe leucura BlackstartOenanthe melanura Brown Rock ChatOenanthe fusca Brown-tailed ChatOenanthe scotocerca Buff-breasted WheatearOenanthe bottae Capped WheatearOenanthe pileata

Heard a Abyssinian Wheatear?

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