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 Munia

Lonchura stygia

The Black Munia is a small, striking estrildid finch known for its uniform jet-black plumage and contrasting pale bill. It is a specialized inhabitant of the marshy lowlands and savannas of southern New Guinea.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, thin 'tsip' or 'peep' notes often given in flight, with a soft song consisting of clicks and warbles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ken Behrens · IndonesiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adults are uniquely all-black, a rare trait among the typically brown or bicolored members of the Lonchura genus.
The species name 'stygia' refers to the River Styx of Greek mythology, a nod to the bird's dark, somber coloration.
Juveniles are vastly different from adults, possessing a dull brown plumage that they retain until their first major molt.
They are highly nomadic and social, often forming small flocks that follow the seasonal seeding cycles of native grasses.
The species is listed as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and pressure from the cage-bird trade.

Habitat

Lowland marshes, reedbeds, and seasonally flooded grasslands.

Range

Southern New Guinea, specifically the Trans-Fly ecoregion encompassing parts of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alpine MuniaLonchura monticola Bismarck MuniaLonchura melaena Black-breasted MuniaLonchura teerinki Black-faced MuniaLonchura molucca Black-throated MuniaLonchura kelaarti Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapilla Chestnut-breasted MuniaLonchura castaneothorax Dusky MuniaLonchura fuscans

Heard a Black Munia?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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