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

Andaman Masked-Owl

Tyto deroepstorffi

An elusive, dark-toned owl endemic to the Andaman Islands, characterized by its deep chocolate plumage and robust talons.

What it sounds like

A harsh, drawn-out, piercing 'shree' scream, similar to other barn owls but often more forceful.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ding Li Yong · IndiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is distinguished from other barn owls by its deep rufous-buff facial disc, lacking the typical white coloration.
The species possesses significantly larger and more powerful feet and claws compared to the closely related Eastern Barn Owl.
Formerly treated as a subspecies of Tyto alba, it was elevated to species status based on distinct morphological and vocal differences.
Its plumage is among the darkest of the Tyto genus, featuring rich chocolate-brown upperparts with fine orange-buff spotting.
Very little is known about its breeding biology, as it is strictly nocturnal and rarely observed in the wild.

Habitat

Coastal forests, mangroves, and agricultural clearings near human settlements.

Range

Endemic to the South Andaman Islands, India.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Grass-OwlTyto capensis American Barn OwlTyto furcata Ashy-faced OwlTyto glaucops Australasian Grass-OwlTyto longimembris Australian Masked-OwlTyto novaehollandiae Barn OwlTyto alba Eastern Barn OwlTyto javanica Golden Masked-OwlTyto aurantia

Heard a Andaman Masked-Owl?

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