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-eared Ground-Thrush

Geokichla camaronensis

The Black-eared Ground-Thrush is a secretive, ground-dwelling passerine characterized by its striking black ear-coverts and rich rufous chest. It is a elusive species of the African rainforest understory, often difficult to observe due to its shy nature and dense habitat.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, thin 'tseee' or 'seee' whistles; the song is a varied collection of clear, melodic whistled phrases typical of the genus.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically classified in the genus Zoothera before taxonomic revisions moved it to Geokichla.
The species is highly stenotopic, meaning it is restricted to specific undisturbed primary forest conditions.
It primarily feeds on the forest floor, using its bill to flick through leaf litter in search of earthworms and small insects.
There are three recognized subspecies—camaronensis, graueri, and kibalensis—which inhabit geographically isolated montane and lowland regions.
Unlike many other thrushes, it is a non-migratory resident that stays within its specialized territory year-round.

Habitat

Moist, primary lowland and submontane evergreen forests, frequently near streams or damp, shaded gullies.

Range

Discontinuous populations across West and Central Africa, ranging from Cameroon and Gabon to the eastern DR Congo and Uganda.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian Ground-ThrushGeokichla piaggiae Ashy ThrushGeokichla cinerea Buru ThrushGeokichla dumasi Chestnut-backed ThrushGeokichla dohertyi Chestnut-capped ThrushGeokichla interpres Crossley's Ground-ThrushGeokichla crossleyi Enggano ThrushGeokichla leucolaema Gray Ground-ThrushGeokichla princei

Heard a Black-eared Ground-Thrush?

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