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

African Sacred Ibis

Threskiornis aethiopicus

A large wading bird easily identified by its white plumage, bare black head and neck, and thick down-curved bill. It holds significant historical status as the physical representation of the god Thoth in Ancient Egypt.

What it sounds like

Generally silent outside of breeding colonies, where it produces a variety of croaks, grunts, and wheezy notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Lynette Rudman · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses a long, decurved bill used to probe mud for crustaceans, insects, and small vertebrates.
Despite its name and historical significance, the species is now locally extinct in Egypt.
Displays a distinctive black trailing edge on its wings that is highly visible during flight.
Highly opportunistic and adaptable, it frequently scavenges in urban landfills and agricultural areas.
Established as an invasive species in parts of Europe after escaping from captive collections in the 1970s.

Habitat

Wetlands, marshes, riverbanks, coastal lagoons, and increasingly, man-made environments like refuse dumps.

Range

Widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Iraq; introduced populations in France, Italy, and Spain.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Australian IbisThreskiornis molucca Black-headed IbisThreskiornis melanocephalus Malagasy Sacred IbisThreskiornis bernieri Reunion IbisThreskiornis solitarius Reunion IbisThreskiornis solitarius Straw-necked IbisThreskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked IbisThreskiornis spinicollis

Heard a African Sacred Ibis?

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