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

Bar-shouldered Dove

Geopelia humeralis

A medium-sized, long-tailed dove native to Australia and New Guinea, distinguished by its copper-colored nape and distinctive black scalloping on its shoulders.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, syncopated 'cook-a-wook' or 'woo-hoo,' frequently transcribed as sounding like 'work-a-lot'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:43

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

Field notes

It is the largest member of the genus Geopelia, which also includes the Peaceful and Diamond Doves.
The species is uniquely associated with damp environments, frequently inhabiting mangroves and thickets near water sources.
Courtship displays include a steep rising flight followed by a rhythmic, loud wing-clapping sequence during the descent.
Its plumage provides excellent camouflage against sun-dappled ground while foraging for seeds of grasses and sedges.
Unlike many other pigeons, it is sedentary and remains in a stable home range throughout the year if water is available.

Habitat

Mangroves, coastal scrubs, wooded riverbanks, and tropical woodlands.

Range

Northern and Eastern Australia, and southern New Guinea.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Barred DoveGeopelia maugeus Diamond DoveGeopelia cuneata Peaceful DoveGeopelia placida Zebra DoveGeopelia striata

Heard a Bar-shouldered Dove?

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Identify a bird by its song