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

Australian Boobook

Ninox boobook

The Australian Boobook is the smallest and most common native owl in Australia, widely recognized by its distinctive, rhythmic two-note call. As a member of the hawk-owl family, it lacks a pronounced facial disc and possesses a more hawk-like silhouette.

What it sounds like

A clear, persistent two-note 'boo-book' or 'mo-poke', with the second note usually lower in pitch.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 4:59

Rec. Marc Anderson · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Commonly referred to as the 'Mopoke' because its signature call phonetically resembles the name.
Unlike many other owl species, it has large, greenish-yellow eyes and lacks the stiff feathers that form a distinct facial disc.
It is a highly versatile hunter, capable of catching insects in mid-air or snatching small mammals from the ground.
During the day, it roosts in dense foliage, often being mobbed by smaller honeyeaters or noisier birds that recognize it as a predator.
They are monogamous and typically nest in the deep hollows of eucalyptus trees lined with decayed wood mulch.

Habitat

Eucalypt forests, open woodlands, scrublands, and well-vegetated suburban parks or gardens.

Range

Widespread across mainland Australia, Tasmania, and several offshore islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alor BoobookNinox plesseni Andaman BoobookNinox affinis Barking OwlNinox connivens Bismarck BoobookNinox variegata Brown BoobookNinox scutulata Buru BoobookNinox hantu Camiguin BoobookNinox leventisi Cebu BoobookNinox rumseyi

Heard a Australian Boobook?

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