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

Cream-eyed Bulbul

Pycnonotus pseudosimplex

The Cream-eyed Bulbul is a medium-sized passerine endemic to Borneo, characterized by its drab olive plumage and distinctive pale, cream-colored irises.

What it sounds like

A rapid, liquid series of 'whit' or 'chwit' notes, generally more hurried and higher in pitch than the Cream-vented Bulbul.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ding Li Yong · MalaysiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was formally described as a distinct species in 2019 after genetic analysis revealed it was not closely related to the Cream-vented Bulbul.
The species is a classic example of cryptic diversity, as it was overlooked for over a century due to its physical similarity to other bulbuls.
While it looks nearly identical to the red-eyed 'simplex' bulbul, its DNA suggests it is actually a sister species to the Cinereous Bulbul.
It occupies a specific elevational niche, typically found in hill forests between 400 and 1,100 meters, above the range of its lowland lookalikes.
Unlike many other bulbuls in the region, its white-vented underparts lack any strong yellow or orange coloration.

Habitat

Primary and secondary hill dipterocarp and lower montane forests.

Range

Endemic to the island of Borneo, specifically the northern and central mountain ranges.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Aceh BulbulPycnonotus snouckaerti Ashy-fronted BulbulPycnonotus cinereifrons Ayeyarwady BulbulPycnonotus blanfordi Black-fronted BulbulPycnonotus nigricans Brown-breasted BulbulPycnonotus xanthorrhous Cape BulbulPycnonotus capensis Common BulbulPycnonotus barbatus Cream-vented BulbulPycnonotus simplex

Heard a Cream-eyed Bulbul?

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