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

Arabian Scops-Owl

Otus pamelae

A small, nocturnal owl endemic to the southern Arabian Peninsula, distinguished by its cryptic sandy-brown plumage and prominent ear tufts. Formerly considered a subspecies of the African Scops-Owl, it is now recognized as a distinct species primarily due to its unique vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A brief, raspy, single-note 'kyu' or 'kreeo' repeated at intervals of several seconds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:43

Rec. Erik Wahlgren · OmanCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was elevated to full species status based on its distinctively raspier and higher-pitched call compared to the African Scops-Owl.
The plumage is highly polymorphic, ranging from pale greyish-brown to a distinct sandy-buff that provides perfect camouflage against desert rocks.
Unlike many desert owls, it is frequently found in man-made environments such as traditional palm groves and suburban gardens.
Its diet is dominated by large nocturnal invertebrates, particularly orthopterans like crickets and grasshoppers.
It is strictly nocturnal, spending the daylight hours roosting motionless in thick foliage or rocky crevices to avoid predation.

Habitat

Arid rocky hillsides with scattered trees, wadis, palm groves, and wooded gardens.

Range

Southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and southwestern Oman.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Scops-OwlOtus senegalensis Andaman Scops-OwlOtus balli Anjouan Scops-OwlOtus capnodes Banggai Scops-OwlOtus mendeni Biak Scops-OwlOtus beccarii Collared Scops-OwlOtus lettia Comoro Scops-OwlOtus pauliani Cyprus Scops-OwlOtus cyprius

Heard a Arabian Scops-Owl?

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