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

Chaco Chachalaca

Ortalis canicollis

A large, social cracid of the Gran Chaco, characterized by its olive-brown plumage, greyish head, and loud, rhythmic morning choruses.

What it sounds like

A loud, raucous, and rhythmic 'cha-cha-la-ka' or 'it-is-it' typically delivered in a synchronized chorus.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Joost van Bruggen · BrazilCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the genus Ortalis found within the Gran Chaco ecosystem.
Groups can range from small family units to large flocks of up to 30 individuals near water sources.
The species possesses distinctive rufous outer tail feathers that are most visible during low, gliding flight.
During the breeding season, pairs engage in loud, synchronized duets to establish and defend their territory.
While primarily arboreal, it is known to forage on the ground for fallen fruits, seeds, and occasionally small invertebrates.

Habitat

Dry and humid forests, gallery forests, and scrubland thickets.

Range

Gran Chaco of northern Argentina, western Paraguay, eastern Bolivia, and southwestern Brazil.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Buff-browed ChachalacaOrtalis superciliaris Chestnut-headed ChachalacaOrtalis ruficeps Chestnut-winged ChachalacaOrtalis garrula Colombian ChachalacaOrtalis columbiana East Brazilian ChachalacaOrtalis araucuan Gray-headed ChachalacaOrtalis cinereiceps Plain ChachalacaOrtalis vetula Rufous-bellied ChachalacaOrtalis wagleri

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