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 Pigeon

Ocyphaps lophotes

A stocky Australian pigeon easily identified by its prominent, thin black crest and iridescent bronze-green wing patches. It is a highly adaptable species that has successfully expanded its range across urban and rural landscapes.

What it sounds like

A soft, repetitive 'whoop' or 'hoo-hoo'; however, its most recognizable sound is the mechanical metallic whistle produced by its wings in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

The distinctive whistling sound heard during takeoff is non-vocal, produced by air rushing past a modified eighth primary feather.
When landing, the bird characteristically tilts its tail upward in a sharp, exaggerated motion to maintain balance.
During courtship, the male performs a rhythmic 'bowing' display, spreading his tail and wings to showcase iridescent plumage.
It has significantly expanded its geographic range since European settlement due to the clearing of forests and the provision of livestock water troughs.
While it resembles the Topknot Pigeon, it belongs to the monotypic genus Ocyphaps, characterized by its unique crest and wing morphology.

Habitat

Lightly wooded grasslands, pastoral lands, urban parks, and gardens, usually within reach of water.

Range

Widespread throughout mainland Australia, excluding the densest tropical rainforests and most arid desert regions.

Heard a Crested Pigeon?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

Identify a bird by its song