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 Wheatear

Oenanthe leucura

A large, soot-black chat distinguished by its stark white rump and tail, often seen perched conspicuously on rocky outcrops.

What it sounds like

A rich, flute-like warble with scratchy intervals, often incorporating mimicry of other birds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Frank Lambert · MoroccoCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males perform a unique courtship display by carrying up to 3 kilograms of flat stones to the nesting site to signal physical fitness.
It is the largest wheatear species in the Western Palearctic, reaching a length of up to 18 centimeters.
Unlike many other Oenanthe species, the Black Wheatear is largely sedentary and remains in its breeding territory year-round.
Sexual dimorphism is subtle; while the male is deep jet-black, the female is a slightly sootier dark brown.
The species is known to be a generalist predator, consuming insects, spiders, and occasionally small lizards.

Habitat

Arid, rocky terrain including cliffs, ravines, scree slopes, and traditional dry-stone walls.

Range

The Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa (the Maghreb).

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian WheatearOenanthe lugubris Arabian WheatearOenanthe lugentoides Atlas WheatearOenanthe seebohmi BlackstartOenanthe melanura Brown Rock ChatOenanthe fusca Brown-tailed ChatOenanthe scotocerca Buff-breasted WheatearOenanthe bottae Capped WheatearOenanthe pileata

Heard a Black Wheatear?

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