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 Wood-Owl

Strix leptogrammica

A large, nocturnal forest owl of South and Southeast Asia, distinguished by its heavily barred underparts and lack of ear tufts. It is a secretive species that favors dense canopy cover for roosting during daylight hours.

What it sounds like

A deep, resonant, and rhythmic series of hollow notes, typically a four-syllable 'guh-hu-hu-hoo'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 4:52

Rec. David Boyle · MalaysiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It belongs to the genus Strix, meaning it lacks the 'ear' tufts found in many other owl genera.
The species exhibits significant plumage variation across its range, with approximately 14 recognized subspecies.
It possesses a distinct chocolate-brown facial disc framed by a dark border and prominent white eyebrows.
Its diet is diverse, ranging from small mammals and birds to large insects and occasionally fish.
Pairs are known to be highly territorial and will perform vocal duets to defend their nesting area.

Habitat

Dense primary forests, humid evergreen jungles, and occasionally mature orchards or plantations.

Range

South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, southern China, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Wood-OwlStrix woodfordii Barred OwlStrix varia Black-and-white OwlStrix nigrolineata Black-banded OwlStrix huhula Chaco OwlStrix chacoensis Cinereous OwlStrix sartorii Desert OwlStrix hadorami Fulvous OwlStrix fulvescens

Heard a Brown Wood-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