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

Angola Slaty-Flycatcher

Melaenornis brunneus

A somber-plumaged, insectivorous passerine endemic to the western highlands of Angola, characterized by its uniform brown coloration.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched 'tseep' or 'tsip', and a quiet, melodic song consisting of soft, jumbled warbles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:46

Rec. Ken Behrens · AngolaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite being named 'Slaty', its plumage is actually a warm, dull brown rather than the typical slate-grey of its close relatives.
The species was historically placed in the genus Dioptrornis before being moved to Melaenornis based on genetic and morphological similarities.
It is a sedentary bird that does not undergo seasonal migrations, remaining in its montane territory year-round.
It primarily employs a 'sally-to-the-ground' hunting technique, perching low to the forest floor to strike at terrestrial invertebrates.
It is considered a flagship species for the Western Angola Endemic Bird Area due to its restricted and specialized range.

Habitat

Montane forest edges, high-altitude evergreen thickets, and gallery forests above 1,200 meters.

Range

Endemic to the western escarpment and central plateau of Angola.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis chocolatinus Nimba FlycatcherMelaenornis annamarulae Northern Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis edolioides Southern Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis pammelaina White-eyed Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis fischeri Yellow-eyed Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis ardesiacus

Heard a Angola Slaty-Flycatcher?

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