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

Asian Barred Owlet

Glaucidium cuculoides

A small, stocky, and diurnal owl characterized by dense horizontal barring across its plumage and a lack of ear tufts.

What it sounds like

A long, rhythmic series of bubbling, staccato trills that gradually accelerate, often transcribed as 'k-wurr, k-wurr, k-wurr'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:52

Rec. Dave Guo · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is primarily diurnal and crepuscular, frequently seen hunting or sunbathing in broad daylight.
The back of its head features two pale ocelli, or 'false eyes,' designed to deter predators from attacking from behind.
Despite its small size, it is an aggressive hunter capable of taking down prey larger than itself, including small poultry.
The species name 'cuculoides' refers to its resemblance to a cuckoo, particularly in its barred feather pattern.
Unlike most nocturnal owls, its flight is not silent because it lacks the specialized soft fringes on its primary feathers.

Habitat

Open forests, woodland edges, orchards, and gardens with mature trees.

Range

South and Southeast Asia, ranging from the Himalayas through Indochina to southeastern China.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Barred OwletGlaucidium capense Albertine OwletGlaucidium albertinum Amazonian Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium hardyi Andean Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium jardinii Austral Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium nana Central American Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium griseiceps Chestnut-backed OwletGlaucidium castanotum Cloud-forest Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium nubicola

Heard a Asian Barred Owlet?

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Identify a bird by its song