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

Dusky Turtle-Dove

Streptopelia lugens

A somber, high-altitude pigeon of the African and Arabian highlands, characterized by its dark, grayish-brown plumage and distinct scaly neck patches.

What it sounds like

A deep, rhythmic, and somewhat guttural series of four to five 'coo' notes, typically sounding like 'croo-croo-croo-croo'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Andrew Spencer · EthiopiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

The specific name 'lugens' is Latin for 'mourning,' a reference to the bird's dark and muted coloration.
It is primarily a montane species, frequently found at altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 meters above sea level.
The distinctive neck patch is composed of black feathers with silvery-grey margins, creating a unique scaly effect.
Unlike the similar European Turtle-Dove, it lacks rufous tones in the wings, appearing much darker in flight.
During courtship, the male performs a steep display flight followed by a slow, gliding descent with its tail spread wide.

Habitat

Montane evergreen forests, woodland edges, juniper groves, and high-altitude gardens or plantations.

Range

Highlands of East Africa (Ethiopia to Malawi) and the southwestern Arabian Peninsula.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Adamawa Turtle-DoveStreptopelia hypopyrrha African Collared-DoveStreptopelia roseogrisea Burmese Collared-DoveStreptopelia xanthocycla Eurasian Collared-DoveStreptopelia decaocto European Turtle-DoveStreptopelia turtur Mourning Collared-DoveStreptopelia decipiens Oriental Turtle-DoveStreptopelia orientalis Philippine Collared-DoveStreptopelia dusumieri

Heard a Dusky Turtle-Dove?

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