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

Desert Owl

Strix hadorami

A medium-sized, nocturnal owl specifically adapted to the arid, rocky landscapes of the Middle East, characterized by its pale, sandy plumage.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, four-syllable hooting sequence: 'hoo-hoo-hu-hoo', with the emphasis on the first and last notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Zsombor Károlyi · Saudi ArabiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formally recognized as a distinct species from the Hume's Owl (Strix butleri) following taxonomic revisions in 2015.
The plumage is expertly camouflaged with sandy-buff tones and delicate orange-brown barring to blend with desert cliffs.
Unlike many forest-dwelling Strix species, it primarily nests in deep rocky crevices or small caves within steep wadis.
Its diet is highly specialized for desert survival, consisting of small rodents, geckos, and large arthropods like scorpions.
It possesses large, dark eyes and lacks ear tufts, giving it a distinctive facial disc appearance common to the genus.

Habitat

Deep canyons, rocky wadis, and steep desert cliffs, often near seasonal water sources.

Range

Middle East, including parts of Israel, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Sinai Peninsula.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Wood-OwlStrix woodfordii Barred OwlStrix varia Black-and-white OwlStrix nigrolineata Black-banded OwlStrix huhula Brown Wood-OwlStrix leptogrammica Chaco OwlStrix chacoensis Cinereous OwlStrix sartorii Fulvous OwlStrix fulvescens

Heard a Desert Owl?

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