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-lored Cisticola

Cisticola nigriloris

A large and vocal warbler of East African highlands, distinguished by its bold facial markings and complex, synchronized vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A loud, melodic series of ringing whistles and trills, typically performed as a synchronized duet between a pair.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. isaac kilusu · TanzaniaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the largest members of the Cisticola genus, often measuring up to 16 centimeters in length.
The species is named for its prominent black lores—the area between the eye and the bill—which contrast sharply with its pale face.
Pairs are known for their highly coordinated antiphonal duetting, which is used to defend territory and reinforce pair bonds.
It is a montane specialist, rarely found at elevations below 1,500 meters above sea level.
It constructs a sturdy, ball-shaped nest made of grass and spiderwebs, typically hidden low in dense vegetation or shrubs.

Habitat

High-altitude montane grasslands, bracken-briar patches, and rank vegetation near forest edges.

Range

Montane regions of Tanzania, Malawi, and northeastern Zambia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Aberdare CisticolaCisticola aberdare Ashy CisticolaCisticola cinereolus Black-backed CisticolaCisticola eximius Boran CisticolaCisticola bodessa Bubbling CisticolaCisticola bulliens Carruthers's CisticolaCisticola carruthersi Chattering CisticolaCisticola anonymus Chirping CisticolaCisticola pipiens

Heard a Black-lored Cisticola?

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