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-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

A slender Neotropical songbird recognized by its striking jet-black 'cowl' and vibrant yellow body, commonly found in humid lowlands.

What it sounds like

A mix of clear, melodic whistles interspersed with raspy chatters and nasal scolding notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:07

Rec. Ross Gallardy · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adults possess a distinctive black hood that extends from the head down to the upper chest and back.
They construct pensile, bag-like nests typically stitched to the underside of broad palm or banana leaves.
Juveniles lack the black plumage of adults, appearing mostly olive-green and yellow for their first year.
Their diet is diverse, consisting of insects, small fruits, and nectar from various tropical flowers.
They are strictly non-migratory residents across their range, often found in pairs or small family units.

Habitat

Humid lowland forests, forest edges, and semi-open areas like plantations and gardens.

Range

The Caribbean slope of Central America, from southern Mexico to western Panama.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Altamira OrioleIcterus gularis Audubon's OrioleIcterus graduacauda Bahama OrioleIcterus northropi Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula Bar-winged OrioleIcterus maculialatus Black-backed OrioleIcterus abeillei Black-vented OrioleIcterus wagleri Bullock's OrioleIcterus bullockii

Heard a Black-cowled Oriole?

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