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

Ecuadorian Cacique

Cacicus sclateri

The Ecuadorian Cacique is a small, entirely black icterid of the western Amazonian lowlands, distinguished from its relatives by its lack of bright plumage patches and its striking pale eyes.

What it sounds like

A complex and melodic series of liquid gurgles, harsh chattering, and metallic whistles, often delivered in a rhythmic fashion.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:23

Rec. Mitch Lysinger · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest member of the genus Cacicus, measuring approximately 23 centimeters in length.
Unlike most other caciques, this species lacks any yellow or red coloration on the rump or wings, being entirely black.
The iris is a conspicuous pale blue or bluish-white, providing a sharp contrast to its dark feathers.
It is a colonial nester that weaves long, pendulous pouch-style nests from plant fibers, often situated near water.
The bill is notably pale, ranging from ivory to a light bluish-grey, and is sharply pointed for foraging.

Habitat

Humid lowland evergreen forests, particularly secondary growth, forest edges, and seasonally flooded varzea forests.

Range

Upper Amazon basin, restricted to eastern Ecuador and northern Peru.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Band-tailed CaciqueCacicus latirostris Casqued CaciqueCacicus oseryi Golden-winged CaciqueCacicus chrysopterus Mountain CaciqueCacicus chrysonotus Red-rumped CaciqueCacicus haemorrhous Scarlet-rumped CaciqueCacicus uropygialis Selva CaciqueCacicus koepckeae Solitary Black CaciqueCacicus solitarius

Heard a Ecuadorian Cacique?

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