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

Boreal Owl

Aegolius funereus

A small, secretive nocturnal raptor of the high latitudes, recognized by its oversized square head, white-spotted crown, and bright yellow eyes.

What it sounds like

A rapid, rising series of 5–8 liquid, whistling 'poo-poo-poo-poo' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Johan Lundgren · SwedenCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Exhibits extreme reversed sexual dimorphism, with females being up to twice as heavy as males.
Commonly known as Tengmalm's Owl in Eurasia, named after Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm.
Possesses asymmetrical ear openings that allow for precise acoustic triangulation of prey hidden under deep snow.
Highly nomadic breeders that shift their range annually based on the localized population cycles of voles.
Primarily a secondary cavity nester, often utilizing abandoned holes made by Pileated or Black Woodpeckers.

Habitat

Dense coniferous and mixed-wood boreal forests, often near subalpine meadows or peatlands.

Range

Circumpolar distribution across northern North America, Scandinavia, Russia, and northern Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bermuda Saw-whet OwlAegolius gradyi Buff-fronted OwlAegolius harrisii Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus Unspotted Saw-whet OwlAegolius ridgwayi

Heard a Boreal Owl?

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