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

Citron-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua citrinocristata

A medium-sized, critically endangered parrot distinguished by its striking orange forward-curving crest and pale ear coverts. It is a charismatic specialist of Sumba, often observed in small social groups within forest canopies.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, raucous screeches and harsh squawks, typical of the genus Cacatua, but slightly higher pitched than larger species.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was recently elevated to full species status, having previously been classified as a subspecies of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo.
The population is critically small, with fewer than 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild due to the illegal pet trade and habitat loss.
Unlike its yellow-crested relatives, this species possesses a distinct citron-to-orange crest and orange-tinted ear patches.
They are obligate cavity nesters, specifically requiring large, old-growth trees which are increasingly scarce on Sumba.
Their diet is highly varied, consisting of seeds, nuts, fruits, and flowers, often foraging in the upper strata of the forest.

Habitat

Lowland monsoon forests, primary and secondary forests, and occasionally agricultural areas with scattered tall trees.

Range

Endemic to the island of Sumba in the Lesser Sundas, Indonesia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue-eyed CockatooCacatua ophthalmica Little CorellaCacatua sanguinea Long-billed CorellaCacatua tenuirostris Philippine CockatooCacatua haematuropygia Pink CockatooCacatua leadbeateri Salmon-crested CockatooCacatua moluccensis Solomons CorellaCacatua ducorpsii Solomons CorellaCacatua ducorpsii

Heard a Citron-crested Cockatoo?

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