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

Buff-fronted Owl

Aegolius harrisii

The Buff-fronted Owl is a small, elusive nocturnal raptor characterized by its rich cinnamon-buff underparts and striking facial markings.

What it sounds like

A long, rapid series of soft, tremulous trills that often increase in volume and pitch.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:29

Rec. Pablo Eguia · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the genus Aegolius native to the Southern Hemisphere.
The species lacks ear tufts, giving it a distinctive smoothly rounded head profile.
Its facial disk features white 'eyebrows' and 'mustache' streaks that create a unique 'X' pattern against a dark face.
It is considered one of the least-studied owls in the Neotropics due to its secretive nature and nocturnal habits.
Juveniles possess a distinct plumage, being almost entirely cinnamon-buff with a dark facial mask, unlike the darker-backed adults.

Habitat

Montane cloud forests, humid evergreen forests, and subtropical woodland edges.

Range

Fragmented populations throughout South America, including the Andes and parts of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bermuda Saw-whet OwlAegolius gradyi Boreal OwlAegolius funereus Northern Saw-whet OwlAegolius acadicus Unspotted Saw-whet OwlAegolius ridgwayi

Heard a Buff-fronted Owl?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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