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

Choco Screech-Owl

Megascops centralis

The Choco Screech-Owl is a small, nocturnal raptor endemic to the humid lowland forests of the Chocó bioregion. It was long considered a subspecies of the Vermiculated Screech-Owl before being recognized as a distinct species based on its unique vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A long, rapid, and monotonic purring trill that maintains a steady pitch and pace for several seconds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:20

Rec. rudy gelis · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was taxonomically split from the Vermiculated Screech-Owl complex primarily due to its distinct, faster territorial trill.
The species exhibits plumage polymorphism, occurring in both a subtle grey-brown morph and a vibrant rufous morph.
Its 'ear' tufts are relatively short and frequently held flat, often giving the head a rounded appearance in the field.
Unlike many related species, it lacks heavy dark vertical streaking on its underparts, featuring fine vermiculations instead.
It is primarily insectivorous, hunting large nocturnal invertebrates, but will also opportunistically take small vertebrates.

Habitat

Lowland and foothill humid evergreen forests, including forest edges and mature secondary growth.

Range

Humid Pacific lowlands and foothills from central Panama through western Colombia to western Ecuador.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Balsas Screech-OwlMegascops seductus Bare-shanked Screech-OwlMegascops clarkii Bearded Screech-OwlMegascops barbarus Black-capped Screech-OwlMegascops atricapilla Cinnamon Screech-OwlMegascops petersoni Cloud-forest Screech-OwlMegascops marshalli Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio Foothill Screech-OwlMegascops roraimae

Heard a Choco Screech-Owl?

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