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

Cuban Black Hawk

Buteogallus gundlachii

The Cuban Black Hawk is a robust, dark-plumaged raptor endemic to the Cuban archipelago, specifically adapted for life in coastal ecosystems.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, rapid series of piercing whistles, often described as 'pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-peeeer'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:29

Rec. GABRIEL LEITE · CubaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically considered a subspecies of the Common Black Hawk before being recognized as a distinct species based on vocalizations and plumage.
Its diet is highly specialized, consisting predominantly of various species of land and mangrove crabs.
Adults exhibit a distinctive single broad white band across the middle of their black tails and a white patch at the base of the primaries.
The species is sedentary and does not migrate, remaining in its coastal territories year-round.
It is currently listed as Near Threatened due to its restricted range and the degradation of mangrove habitats.

Habitat

Mangrove forests, coastal wetlands, and wooded swamps near the shore.

Range

Endemic to Cuba, including the main island, Isla de la Juventud, and surrounding cays.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chaco EagleButeogallus coronatus Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus Great Black HawkButeogallus urubitinga Rufous Crab HawkButeogallus aequinoctialis Savanna HawkButeogallus meridionalis Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus Solitary EagleButeogallus solitarius

Heard a Cuban Black Hawk?

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