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

Black-and-white Owl

Strix nigrolineata

A medium-sized, nocturnal Neotropical owl characterized by its striking monochromatic barred plumage and vibrant yellow-orange bill.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic series of rapid, low-pitched hoots ending in a drawn-out, emphasized note: 'wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-Wooo'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It lacks ear tufts, possessing the smooth, rounded head profile characteristic of the genus Strix.
The species is known to hunt near streetlights in suburban areas to exploit the concentration of large insects.
Its plumage consists of dense black-and-white horizontal barring across the entire underparts, contrasting with a dark sooty mantle.
Dietary studies indicate a preference for large scarab beetles, though it also consumes small mammals and roosting birds.
The facial disc is primarily black, framed by a conspicuous white border that highlights its dark brown eyes.

Habitat

Humid lowland forests, edges, and occasionally mangroves or coffee plantations.

Range

Central and South America, ranging from central Mexico to northwestern Peru and western Colombia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Wood-OwlStrix woodfordii Barred OwlStrix varia Black-banded OwlStrix huhula Brown Wood-OwlStrix leptogrammica Chaco OwlStrix chacoensis Cinereous OwlStrix sartorii Desert OwlStrix hadorami Fulvous OwlStrix fulvescens

Heard a Black-and-white Owl?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

Identify a bird by its song