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-shouldered Kite

Elanus axillaris

A small, elegant Australian raptor distinguished by its pale grey plumage, striking black wing patches, and characteristic hovering hunting style.

What it sounds like

A clear, high-pitched whistling 'chee-chee-chee' or a harsh, wheezing 'skre-ah' used during territorial displays.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Marc Anderson · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Specializes in predating small mammals, particularly the introduced House Mouse, and may breed semi-colonially during rodent plagues.
Exhibits a distinctive vertical hover with wings beating rapidly and legs dangling, allowing it to scan ground cover with extreme precision.
Possesses large, forward-facing ruby-red eyes that provide exceptional binocular vision and depth perception for tracking movement in tall grass.
Often remains active during crepuscular hours, utilizing the low-light conditions to hunt when small mammals are most active.
Constructs a stick nest lined with green leaves, typically situated in the canopy of a tall isolated tree or woodland edge.

Habitat

Open grasslands, agricultural paddocks, savannas, and lightly timbered woodlands.

Range

Endemic to mainland Australia, occurring across most of the continent except for the densest rainforests and driest deserts.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus Letter-winged KiteElanus scriptus White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus

Heard a Black-shouldered 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