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

Forest Rock-Thrush

Monticola sharpei

The Forest Rock-Thrush is a colorful, medium-sized passerine endemic to the humid forests of Madagascar, notable for its striking sexual dimorphism. Unlike most members of its genus, it has adapted specifically to life within dense forest interiors rather than open rocky terrain.

What it sounds like

A series of clear, melodic, and fluty whistled phrases, often possessing a melancholic quality.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Hans Matheve · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was formerly considered conspecific with the Amber Mountain Rock-Thrush before being recognized as a distinct species.
The male features a distinctive slate-blue head and throat that contrasts sharply with its bright orange underparts.
Despite its name, it is more likely to be found perching on mossy branches than on actual rocks.
The species is highly territorial during the breeding season, with males singing from the mid-canopy to defend their space.
Its diet is primarily insectivorous, consisting of beetles, ants, and other small invertebrates gleaned from the leaf litter.

Habitat

Primary humid evergreen forests and montane rainforests, typically at elevations between 800 and 2,000 meters.

Range

Endemic to the eastern and central highlands of Madagascar.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Amber Mountain Rock-ThrushMonticola erythronotus Blue Rock-ThrushMonticola solitarius Blue-capped Rock-ThrushMonticola cinclorhyncha Cape Rock-ThrushMonticola rupestris Chestnut-bellied Rock-ThrushMonticola rufiventris Little Rock-ThrushMonticola rufocinereus Littoral Rock-ThrushMonticola imerina Miombo Rock-ThrushMonticola angolensis

Heard a Forest Rock-Thrush?

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