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-winged Bishop

Euplectes hordeaceus

A striking, sexually dimorphic weaver of sub-Saharan Africa, notable for the breeding male's brilliant fire-orange and jet-black plumage.

What it sounds like

A rapid, sizzling sequence of high-pitched buzzy notes and wheezy, metallic chirps.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:53

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

Field notes

Breeding males undergo a dramatic seasonal transformation from a dull, sparrow-like brown to vivid crimson-orange and velvety black.
The species is highly polygynous, with a single territorial male often attracting and mating with multiple females within his range.
Males construct the framework of several oval-shaped nests using woven grass; the female then selects one and provides the interior lining.
It is distinguished from the similar Southern Red Bishop by its larger size and the fact that its wings and tail are entirely black.
During the non-breeding season, they aggregate into massive, nomadic flocks that can become significant pests in cereal and grain crops.

Habitat

Tall moist grasslands, savanna, marshes, and cultivated grain fields.

Range

Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Angola and Mozambique.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black BishopEuplectes gierowii Buff-shouldered WidowbirdEuplectes psammacromius Fan-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes axillaris Fire-fronted BishopEuplectes diadematus Golden-backed BishopEuplectes aureus Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progne

Heard a Black-winged Bishop?

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