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

Cebu Boobook

Ninox rumseyi

A small, endangered hawk-owl endemic to the island of Cebu, distinguished from its relatives by its unique vocalizations and genetic profile.

What it sounds like

A deep, repetitive, barking 'woof-woof' that differs significantly from the whistling calls of other Philippine hawk-owls.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ding Li Yong · PhilippinesCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was formally described as a distinct species in 2012 after being separated from the Philippine Hawk-Owl complex.
The species is highly threatened by habitat loss, as Cebu has lost over 99% of its original forest cover.
It possesses striking yellow eyes and lacks the 'ear' tufts seen in many other owl genera.
Unlike some other Ninox species, it has a preference for the few remaining fragments of secondary growth forest on the island.
Its discovery was a key factor in highlighting the importance of the remaining small forest patches for Cebu's biodiversity.

Habitat

Remnant lowland and mid-elevation secondary forests and forest patches.

Range

Cebu Island, Philippines.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alor BoobookNinox plesseni Andaman BoobookNinox affinis Australian BoobookNinox boobook Barking OwlNinox connivens Bismarck BoobookNinox variegata Brown BoobookNinox scutulata Buru BoobookNinox hantu Camiguin BoobookNinox leventisi

Heard a Cebu Boobook?

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