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 Oriole

Oriolus szalayi

A large, cryptically colored oriole endemic to New Guinea, the Brown Oriole is a noted mimic that lacks the vibrant yellow plumage typical of its genus.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, fluid, and flute-like whistles, often delivered in short phrases with occasional harsh, chattering notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Ericsson · IndonesiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a visual mimic of the Helmeted Friarbird, a strategy likely evolved to avoid aggression from that more pugnacious species.
Unlike most orioles, the Brown Oriole is almost entirely brown and grey with heavy dark streaking on its underparts.
It possesses a distinctive heavy, reddish-brown bill and dark iris, which contrast with its dull plumage.
Its diet is opportunistic, consisting of a variety of small fruits, berries, and large insects found in the canopy.
Both males and females share nearly identical plumage, showing much less sexual dimorphism than other Oriolus species.

Habitat

Primary and secondary tropical rainforests, forest edges, mangroves, and suburban gardens.

Range

New Guinea and neighboring islands including Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Black-headed OrioleOriolus larvatus African Golden OrioleOriolus auratus Black OrioleOriolus hosii Black-and-crimson OrioleOriolus consanguineus Black-hooded OrioleOriolus xanthornus Black-naped OrioleOriolus chinensis Black-tailed OrioleOriolus percivali Black-winged OrioleOriolus nigripennis

Heard a Brown Oriole?

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