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

Bare-faced Go-away-bird

Crinifer personatus

A large, noisy, gray turaco of East African savannas, easily recognized by its prominent crest and distinctive featherless black facial skin.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, nasal, and harsh 'kow-way' or 'ga-way' notes that sound like human scolding.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:41

Rec. Bernard BOUSQUET · TanzaniaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike most turacos, it lacks the unique copper-based pigments turacin (red) and turacoverdin (green), exhibiting a more cryptic gray plumage.
The species possesses semi-zygodactylous feet, allowing the fourth toe to rotate forward or backward to improve grip while running along branches.
Its common name is an onomatopoeic description of its alarm call, which frequently warns other animals of the presence of hunters or predators.
The bird is primarily frugivorous, favoring the fruits of various Acacia and Ficus species, but will also consume buds and seeds.
Taxonomy distinguishes between two main populations: the northern black-faced nominate group and the southern brown-faced 'leopoldina' group.

Habitat

Acacia woodlands, thorn-bush savanna, and riverine thickets.

Range

East Africa, ranging from Ethiopia and Kenya south to Malawi and Zambia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Eastern Plantain-eaterCrinifer zonurus Gray Go-away-birdCrinifer concolor Western Plantain-eaterCrinifer piscator White-bellied Go-away-birdCrinifer leucogaster White-bellied Go-away-birdCrinifer leucogaster

Heard a Bare-faced Go-away-bird?

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