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

Eastern Screech-Owl

Megascops asio

A small, stocky owl with prominent ear tufts and intricate plumage patterns, common throughout suburban and wooded areas of eastern North America.

What it sounds like

A mournful, descending whinny and a long, low-pitched monotonic trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Sue Riffe · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It occurs in two distinct color morphs, gray and rufous, with the gray morph being more common in the northern part of its range.
Despite its name, its primary vocalization is not a screech but a descending, horse-like whinny.
They are known to bring live blind snakes into their nests to serve as 'housekeepers' by eating parasitic larvae.
It is a generalist predator, consuming everything from large insects and crayfish to small mammals and songbirds.
They are strictly nocturnal and spend the daylight hours roosting deep within tree cavities or against trunks where their plumage provides perfect camouflage.

Habitat

Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlots, suburban backyards, and urban parks with mature trees.

Range

Eastern North America, ranging from southeastern Canada to Florida and west to the Great Plains.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Balsas Screech-OwlMegascops seductus Bare-shanked Screech-OwlMegascops clarkii Bearded Screech-OwlMegascops barbarus Black-capped Screech-OwlMegascops atricapilla Choco Screech-OwlMegascops centralis Cinnamon Screech-OwlMegascops petersoni Cloud-forest Screech-OwlMegascops marshalli Foothill Screech-OwlMegascops roraimae

Heard a Eastern Screech-Owl?

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