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

Band-tailed Antshrike

Thamnophilus melanothorax

A medium-sized, sexually dimorphic antbird of the Guianan Shield characterized by its dark plumage and conspicuous white-spotted tail.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, accelerating series of nasal 'hahn' or 'wuk' notes that typically descends in pitch at the conclusion.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:32

Rec. Alexandre Renaudier · French GuianaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species displays strong sexual dimorphism: males are primarily black, whereas females have rufous-brown upperparts and buff underparts.
Its name is derived from the distinct white spots and terminal bands on the tail feathers, which are often flashed during territorial displays.
It primarily inhabits the understory, preferring dense vine tangles and impenetrable thickets where it remains difficult to observe.
Taxonomically, it was previously placed in the genus Sakesphorus before being moved to Thamnophilus based on modern phylogenetic data.
It is a generalist insectivore that gleans arthropods from foliage rather than acting as an obligate army ant follower.

Habitat

Dense riverine thickets, lowland evergreen forest understory, and humid secondary growth.

Range

Northeastern South America, specifically Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northeastern Brazil.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Acre AntshrikeThamnophilus divisorius Amazonian AntshrikeThamnophilus amazonicus Bar-crested AntshrikeThamnophilus multistriatus Barred AntshrikeThamnophilus doliatus Black AntshrikeThamnophilus nigriceps Black-backed AntshrikeThamnophilus melanonotus Black-crowned AntshrikeThamnophilus atrinucha Black-hooded AntshrikeThamnophilus bridgesi

Heard a Band-tailed Antshrike?

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