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

Crested Oropendola

Psarocolius decumanus

A large, colonial icterid of South American lowlands, recognized by its dark plumage, contrasting yellow outer tail feathers, and remarkable pendulous nests.

What it sounds like

An accelerating series of liquid, gurgling notes that culminates in a dry, crashing or crackling 'rustle' sound.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Tristan Guillebot de Nerville · French GuianaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males are significantly larger than females and possess a subtle, wire-like crest that is often difficult to discern in the field.
They construct impressive hanging nests woven from plant fibers and vines that can exceed 125 centimeters in length.
The species is highly polygynous, with a dominant 'alpha' male defending a harem of females against rival males.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of a wide variety of fruits, nectar, large insects, and occasionally small vertebrates.
During displays, males perform a dramatic 180-degree forward bow, bringing their yellow tail feathers over their backs while vocalizing.

Habitat

Lowland rainforest edges, gallery forests, and secondary growth woodlands.

Range

South America east of the Andes, ranging from Colombia and the Guianas to northern Argentina and Trinidad.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Baudo OropendolaPsarocolius cassini Black OropendolaPsarocolius guatimozinus Chestnut-headed OropendolaPsarocolius wagleri Dusky-green OropendolaPsarocolius atrovirens Green OropendolaPsarocolius viridis Montezuma OropendolaPsarocolius montezuma Olive OropendolaPsarocolius bifasciatus Russet-backed OropendolaPsarocolius angustifrons

Heard a Crested Oropendola?

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