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

Fiery-necked Nightjar

Caprimulgus pectoralis

A medium-sized nocturnal bird celebrated for its haunting whistle and intricate rufous-toned camouflage. It is easily identified by its distinctive golden-brown collar.

What it sounds like

A haunting, liquid, and melodic whistle typically transcribed as 'Good-lord-deliver-us'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:38

Rec. Peter Boesman · KenyaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses a specialized 'pectinate' or comb-like claw on the middle toe used for preening feathers and removing parasites.
Relies on highly effective disruptive coloration to remain nearly invisible while roosting on leaf litter during the day.
Does not build a nest, instead laying its two camouflaged eggs directly onto the ground among dead leaves.
Features a wide gape and stiff rictal bristles around the mouth to help capture flying insects like moths and beetles mid-air.
The species is largely sedentary, though some populations may perform local seasonal movements based on food availability.

Habitat

Open woodlands, forest edges, and scrubby savannas, frequently found in Miombo and Teak forests.

Range

Southern and Eastern Africa, ranging from South Africa north to Kenya, Ethiopia, and west to Angola.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Andaman NightjarCaprimulgus andamanicus Bates's NightjarCaprimulgus batesi Bonaparte's NightjarCaprimulgus concretus Chirruping NightjarCaprimulgus griseatus Donaldson Smith's NightjarCaprimulgus donaldsoni Egyptian NightjarCaprimulgus aegyptius Eurasian NightjarCaprimulgus europaeus Freckled NightjarCaprimulgus tristigma

Heard a Fiery-necked Nightjar?

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