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

Ayeyarwady Bulbul

Pycnonotus blanfordi

A medium-sized, drab passerine endemic to the lowland plains of Myanmar, distinguished from its relatives by a pale eye and subdued plumage.

What it sounds like

A series of dry, chattering notes and short, liquid 'whit' or 'chwak' sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Thet Zaw Naing · MyanmarCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formerly considered conspecific with the Streak-eared Bulbul before being split based on vocal and morphological differences.
Lacks the prominent crest found in many other Pycnonotus species, presenting a distinctly flat-headed profile.
Possesses a diagnostic pale yellowish-white iris that contrasts sharply against its olive-brown face.
Highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes, frequently occurring in urban gardens and rural farmsteads.
Plays a significant ecological role as a seed disperser for various fruiting shrubs within the Ayeyarwady river basin.

Habitat

Open scrubland, secondary growth, gardens, and cultivated areas in lowland plains.

Range

Endemic to the central and southern regions of Myanmar, primarily throughout the Ayeyarwady River drainage.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Aceh BulbulPycnonotus snouckaerti Ashy-fronted BulbulPycnonotus cinereifrons Black-fronted BulbulPycnonotus nigricans Brown-breasted BulbulPycnonotus xanthorrhous Cape BulbulPycnonotus capensis Common BulbulPycnonotus barbatus Cream-eyed BulbulPycnonotus pseudosimplex Cream-vented BulbulPycnonotus simplex

Heard a Ayeyarwady Bulbul?

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