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 Harrier

Circus maurus

The Black Harrier is a striking, medium-sized African raptor known for its distinctive coal-black plumage and white rump. It is a specialized predator that uses low, buoyant flight to hunt small mammals and birds in open landscapes.

What it sounds like

Usually silent, but emits a high-pitched 'pe-pe-pe' during courtship and a rapid 'chak-chak-chak' alarm call near the nest.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Murray Christian · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the rarest endemic raptors in southern Africa, with an estimated population of fewer than 1,000 breeding pairs.
Unlike many other raptors, it is a ground-nesting species, concealing its eggs within dense fynbos or tall grassland vegetation.
The species displays prominent white primary feathers on the underwing that are highly visible as a flash during its low-altitude hunting flight.
It exhibits significant reverse sexual size dimorphism, with females being considerably larger and heavier than males.
It is currently classified as Endangered in South Africa due to severe habitat loss, fragmentation, and its sensitivity to pesticides.

Habitat

Fynbos, succulent karoo scrub, and high-altitude montane grasslands.

Range

Endemic to southern Africa, primarily found in South Africa with smaller numbers in Namibia and Lesotho.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Marsh HarrierCircus ranivorus Cinereous HarrierCircus cinereus Eastern Marsh HarrierCircus spilonotus Hen HarrierCircus cyaneus Long-winged HarrierCircus buffoni Malagasy HarrierCircus macrosceles Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargus Northern HarrierCircus hudsonius

Heard a Black Harrier?

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