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 Kite

Milvus migrans

A medium-sized, opportunistic raptor characterized by its dark plumage and slightly forked tail. It is renowned for its graceful soaring and scavenging adaptability near human populations.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, tremulous whinnying or a shrill, wavering 'pwee-er-r-r-r'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · ChinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is widely considered the world's most abundant bird of prey due to its massive global population.
Individuals have been observed using 'fire-foraging' techniques, carrying burning sticks to spread wildfires and flush out prey.
Unlike most raptors, they are highly gregarious and often congregate in large communal roosts numbering in the thousands.
The distinctive fork in the tail is shallower than that of the Red Kite and may appear square when the tail is fully fanned.
They are exceptionally agile flyers, capable of snatching food from the surface of water or the ground without landing.

Habitat

Open woodlands, wetlands, urban centers, and agricultural landscapes.

Range

Widespread across Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Red KiteMilvus milvus

Heard a Black Kite?

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