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

Burrowing Owl

Athene cunicularia

The Burrowing Owl is a small, long-legged raptor famous for its unique habit of nesting in underground burrows and its primarily diurnal lifestyle. Unlike most owls, it is frequently seen standing on the ground or on low perches during the day.

What it sounds like

A primary song consisting of a soft, two-syllable 'coo-coooo,' as well as various rasps, clucks, and high-pitched alarm chatters.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Miguel Angelo Biz · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They frequently utilize burrows excavated by other animals, such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, or desert tortoises.
To deter predators, they can produce a vocalization that mimics the rattling hiss of a defensive rattlesnake from within their burrow.
They often scatter mammal dung around their burrow entrance to attract dung beetles, which serve as a convenient food source.
They possess a high tolerance for carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels, an adaptation for life in poorly ventilated underground tunnels.
While they hunt mainly at dusk and dawn, they are highly active during the day, unlike the vast majority of owl species.

Habitat

Open, treeless landscapes including grasslands, prairies, savannas, deserts, and agricultural fields with short vegetation.

Range

Widespread throughout North and South America, ranging from the western United States and Florida down to the southern tip of Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Forest OwletAthene blewitti Guadalcanal OwlAthene granti Little OwlAthene noctua Makira OwlAthene roseoaxillaris Malaita OwlAthene malaitae Spotted OwletAthene brama West Solomons OwlAthene jacquinoti White-browed OwlAthene superciliaris

Heard a Burrowing 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