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

Dideric Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx caprius

A small, iridescent cuckoo of Sub-Saharan Africa, famous for its brood parasitism and distinctive, onomatopoeic four-note whistle.

What it sounds like

A loud, plaintive, four-note whistle: 'dee-dee-dee-deric', with the last note often descending.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 2:10

Rec. Dickson Anoibi Matthew · NigeriaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a brood parasite that primarily targets weavers, bishops, and sparrows to raise its young.
The species exhibits sexual dimorphism; males have metallic green upperparts, while females are often more bronze-brown with barred flanks.
Its eggs are highly mimetic, having evolved to match the specific color and pattern of various host species' eggs.
The name 'Dideric' is derived from its persistent calling rhythm, which sounds like 'dee-dee-dee-deric'.
While mostly resident in equatorial regions, southern populations are migratory, moving north during the austral winter.

Habitat

Open woodland, savanna, riverine bush, and suburban gardens.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Emerald CuckooChrysococcyx cupreus Asian Emerald CuckooChrysococcyx maculatus Klaas's CuckooChrysococcyx klaas Violet CuckooChrysococcyx xanthorhynchus Yellow-throated CuckooChrysococcyx flavigularis

Heard a Dideric Cuckoo?

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