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

Cinereous Owl

Strix sartorii

A large, dark-eyed owl endemic to the high-altitude forests of Mexico, distinguished from the Barred Owl by its sootier, ash-gray plumage.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic series of hollow hoots similar to the Barred Owl's 'Who cooks for you?' but generally higher in pitch.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Roger Ahlman · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically classified as a subspecies of the Barred Owl (Strix varia) before being recognized as a distinct species based on genetic and vocal differences.
The plumage is notably 'cinereous' or ash-gray, lacking the warm buff and rufous tones found in its northern relatives.
It is a nocturnal predator that primarily targets small mammals and birds within the dense mid-to-upper canopy.
The species is a Mexican endemic, restricted to specific mountain ranges including the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.
It lacks ear tufts and possesses a large, pale facial disk with dark concentric rings typical of the Strix genus.

Habitat

Humid montane pine-oak forests and cloud forests, usually at elevations of 1,500 to 2,800 meters.

Range

Central and southern Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Wood-OwlStrix woodfordii Barred OwlStrix varia Black-and-white OwlStrix nigrolineata Black-banded OwlStrix huhula Brown Wood-OwlStrix leptogrammica Chaco OwlStrix chacoensis Desert OwlStrix hadorami Fulvous OwlStrix fulvescens

Heard a Cinereous Owl?

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