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-necked Parrot

Poicephalus fuscicollis

A large, heavy-billed African parrot characterized by its distinct greyish-brown head and neck contrasting with a green body.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, raucous screeching notes and harsh squawks, often transcribed as 'zeee-ak' or 'kwaa-kwaa'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:18

Rec. Étienne Leroy · Ivory CoastCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest member of the Poicephalus genus, reaching lengths of up to 32 centimeters.
The species shows subtle sexual dimorphism, with females often possessing a coral-pink or orange patch on the forehead.
Taxonomically, it was split from the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) based on morphological and genetic distinctions.
Their massive mandibles are specialized for cracking hard-shelled nuts, particularly those of the Baobab and Terminalia trees.
Nesting occurs in high tree cavities, often repurposed from woodpecker or barbet holes in old-growth timber.

Habitat

Dry savannas, broad-leaved woodlands, and riverine forests, frequently associated with Baobab (Adansonia) groves.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from West Africa (Gambia/Senegal) through Central Africa to parts of South-central Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown-headed ParrotPoicephalus cryptoxanthus Cape ParrotPoicephalus robustus Meyer's ParrotPoicephalus meyeri Niam-Niam ParrotPoicephalus crassus Red-bellied ParrotPoicephalus rufiventris Red-fronted ParrotPoicephalus gulielmi Rüppell's ParrotPoicephalus rueppellii Senegal ParrotPoicephalus senegalus

Heard a Brown-necked Parrot?

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