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-tailed Oriole

Oriolus percivali

The Black-tailed Oriole is a striking montane songbird characterized by its vibrant yellow body and contrasting black hood and tail.

What it sounds like

A series of rich, liquid, and flute-like whistles, often transcribed as 'ho-we-lo'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · KenyaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is primarily distinguished from the similar African Black-headed Oriole by its entirely black central rectrices.
The species is a montane specialist, typically restricted to high-altitude evergreen forests above 1,500 meters.
It frequently participates in mixed-species foraging flocks, moving through the mid-to-upper canopy.
Its diet is omnivorous, consisting of a variety of fruits, berries, and large insects such as caterpillars.
The nest is a characteristic deep cup made of lichens and fibers, suspended in a thin horizontal tree fork.

Habitat

Montane evergreen forest and high-altitude woodland.

Range

Central and East Africa, specifically the Albertine Rift and highlands of Kenya and Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Black-headed OrioleOriolus larvatus African Golden OrioleOriolus auratus Black OrioleOriolus hosii Black-and-crimson OrioleOriolus consanguineus Black-hooded OrioleOriolus xanthornus Black-naped OrioleOriolus chinensis Black-winged OrioleOriolus nigripennis Brown OrioleOriolus szalayi

Heard a Black-tailed Oriole?

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