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

Ashy Starling

Lamprotornis unicolor

The Ashy Starling is a large, uniformly grey-brown passerine endemic to East Africa, unique among its genus for lacking iridescent plumage. It is characterized by its long, graduated tail and striking pale eyes.

What it sounds like

A varied series of squeaky whistles, harsh chattering notes, and occasional mimicry of other birds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · TanzaniaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike most other Lamprotornis species, it lacks metallic or glossy feathers, appearing matte grey-brown.
It possesses a distinctively long, tapered tail that comprises a significant portion of its total body length.
The species features pale yellowish-white irises that provide a sharp contrast against its dark facial feathers.
It often exhibits commensal feeding behavior, following large herbivores like zebras to capture flushed insects.
While primarily insectivorous, it also consumes fruit and has been observed taking nectar from large flowers.

Habitat

Open savanna, dry acacia woodlands, and thorn scrub areas.

Range

Endemic to Tanzania and localized parts of southern Kenya.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Pied StarlingLamprotornis bicolor Bronze-tailed StarlingLamprotornis chalcurus Burchell's StarlingLamprotornis australis Cape StarlingLamprotornis nitens Chestnut-bellied StarlingLamprotornis pulcher Emerald StarlingLamprotornis iris Fischer's StarlingLamprotornis fischeri Golden-breasted StarlingLamprotornis regius

Heard a Ashy Starling?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

Identify a bird by its song