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

Brown-chested Lapwing

Vanellus superciliosus

The Brown-chested Lapwing is a distinctive African plover easily identified by its broad rufous breast band and nomadic behavior following seasonal grass fires.

What it sounds like

A sharp, high-pitched 'kree-kree' or a metallic, repetitive 'tink-tink' sound.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:16

Rec. Rolf A. de By · UgandaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a partial intra-African migrant, moving north and south across the equator to exploit burned or short-grass habitats.
The species features a striking white forehead patch and a bright yellow eye-ring that contrasts with its dark crown.
Unlike many other lapwing species, it is often found in small, loose groups rather than large, dense flocks.
They are highly specialized for foraging on scorched earth, where they hunt for insects exposed by recent fires.
During courtship, they perform aerial displays characterized by slow, deliberate wingbeats and whistling calls.

Habitat

Short-grass savannas, recently burnt grasslands, and seasonally flooded lake margins.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from West Africa (Nigeria) across to East Africa (Uganda and Tanzania).

Similar & commonly confused birds

Andean LapwingVanellus resplendens Banded LapwingVanellus tricolor Black-headed LapwingVanellus tectus Black-winged LapwingVanellus melanopterus Blacksmith LapwingVanellus armatus Crowned LapwingVanellus coronatus Gray-headed LapwingVanellus cinereus Javan LapwingVanellus macropterus

Heard a Brown-chested Lapwing?

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