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

Bismarck Munia

Lonchura melaena

The Bismarck Munia is a small, dark estrildid finch endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago, characterized by its heavy bill and social foraging behavior.

What it sounds like

A series of thin, high-pitched metallic 'tsit' notes and soft, conversational chirping.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Todd Mark · Papua New GuineaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is found exclusively on the islands of New Britain and New Ireland in Papua New Guinea.
The species is distinguished by its almost entirely sooty-black plumage, which is darker than most other members of its genus.
It was historically categorized as a subspecies of the Grand Munia (Lonchura grandis) before being split into its own species.
They are highly social birds, frequently seen in small flocks moving through tall grasses to feed on seeds.
Like other munias, it builds large, globular nests made of grass, typically hidden in dense vegetation or tall grass stands.

Habitat

Lowland grasslands, savanna, deforested clearings, and forest edges.

Range

Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alpine MuniaLonchura monticola Black MuniaLonchura stygia Black-breasted MuniaLonchura teerinki Black-faced MuniaLonchura molucca Black-throated MuniaLonchura kelaarti Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapilla Chestnut-breasted MuniaLonchura castaneothorax Dusky MuniaLonchura fuscans

Heard a Bismarck Munia?

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