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 Wheatear

Oenanthe lugentoides

A striking black-and-white passerine endemic to the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, typically found in rugged mountain terrains.

What it sounds like

A varied mix of clear, melodic whistles and harsher chattering notes, often incorporating mimicry of other birds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. bert de bruin · Saudi ArabiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formerly classified as a subspecies of the Mourning Wheatear (Oenanthe lugens) before being elevated to full species status.
Exhibits sexual dimorphism where males feature a white crown and black throat, while females are generally duller and more brownish.
The species is largely sedentary, though some populations perform altitudinal migrations to lower elevations during winter.
Nests are typically constructed deep within rock crevices or stone walls to provide insulation against extreme temperature fluctuations.
It is a highly territorial bird that frequently uses prominent rocky outcrops as lookout posts for both hunting and defense.

Habitat

Rugged, rocky slopes, mountain wadis, and high-altitude plateaus with sparse scrub vegetation.

Range

Endemic to the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, including Yemen, western Saudi Arabia, and western Oman.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian WheatearOenanthe lugubris 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 Arabian Wheatear?

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Identify a bird by its song