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-capped Screech-Owl

Megascops atricapilla

A medium-small Neotropical owl characterized by its distinctive dark crown and preference for the dense understory of the Atlantic Forest.

What it sounds like

A long, rapid, and rhythmic series of low-pitched 'poot' notes that typically accelerate into a soft trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:56

Rec. Joost van Bruggen · BrazilCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a prominent blackish-brown crown that contrasts sharply with its paler facial disk.
The species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome, one of the most biodiverse yet threatened regions in South America.
Unlike many other Megascops species, its tarsi are densely feathered all the way down to the base of the toes.
It is strictly nocturnal and primarily insectivorous, focusing its hunting efforts on large beetles and moths.
Identification in the field often relies on vocalizations, as its plumage can be highly variable and mimic other screech-owl species.

Habitat

Primary and secondary humid subtropical and tropical forests, as well as mature forest edges.

Range

Southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Balsas Screech-OwlMegascops seductus Bare-shanked Screech-OwlMegascops clarkii Bearded Screech-OwlMegascops barbarus Choco Screech-OwlMegascops centralis Cinnamon Screech-OwlMegascops petersoni Cloud-forest Screech-OwlMegascops marshalli Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio Foothill Screech-OwlMegascops roraimae

Heard a Black-capped Screech-Owl?

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