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

Cape Bulbul

Pycnonotus capensis

The Cape Bulbul is a medium-sized passerine endemic to South Africa, characterized by its dull plumage and distinctive white eye-ring.

What it sounds like

A cheerful, liquid whistling often transcribed as 'piet-majol' or 'whit-it-it-it'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:31

Rec. JJSUN · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only bulbul species in its range to possess a prominent white eye-ring.
The species is a significant pollinator for several Protea and Aloe species as it forages for nectar.
It is frequently targeted as a host for the brood parasitic Jacobin Cuckoo.
Unlike many other bulbuls, its distribution is strictly limited to the southern and southwestern regions of South Africa.
It features a bright yellow patch under the tail, known as the vent or crissum, which contrasts with its otherwise brown body.

Habitat

Fynbos, coastal scrub, succulent karoo, and suburban gardens.

Range

Endemic to the Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Aceh BulbulPycnonotus snouckaerti Ashy-fronted BulbulPycnonotus cinereifrons Ayeyarwady BulbulPycnonotus blanfordi Black-fronted BulbulPycnonotus nigricans Brown-breasted BulbulPycnonotus xanthorrhous Common BulbulPycnonotus barbatus Cream-eyed BulbulPycnonotus pseudosimplex Cream-vented BulbulPycnonotus simplex

Heard a Cape Bulbul?

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Identify a bird by its song