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

Chestnut-backed Owlet

Glaucidium castanotum

The Chestnut-backed Owlet is a small, diurnal owl endemic to Sri Lanka, characterized by its rich chestnut-brown mantle and lack of ear tufts.

What it sounds like

A slow, rhythmic series of vibrating 'kraw' or 'whook' notes that gradually increase in tempo.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Okamoto Keita Sin · Sri LankaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

This species is strictly endemic to the wet zone forests and hill country of Sri Lanka.
Unlike most owls, it is primarily diurnal and crepuscular, often seen hunting in broad daylight.
It features a pair of prominent 'false eyes' or ocelli on the back of its head to deter predators and mobbing birds.
It nests in tree cavities, typically utilizing old holes excavated by woodpeckers or barbets.
Despite its small size, it is a fierce predator that consumes insects, lizards, and small birds.

Habitat

Dense primary rainforests, humid jungles, and occasionally mature rubber plantations.

Range

Sri Lanka

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Barred OwletGlaucidium capense Albertine OwletGlaucidium albertinum Amazonian Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium hardyi Andean Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium jardinii Asian Barred OwletGlaucidium cuculoides Austral Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium nana Central American Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium griseiceps Cloud-forest Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium nubicola

Heard a Chestnut-backed Owlet?

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