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

Galapagos Hawk

Buteo galapagoensis

The Galapagos Hawk is the archipelago's apex land predator, characterized by its extreme tameness and unique cooperative polyandrous breeding system.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, repetitive screaming 'keer-keer-keer' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. Charlie Vogt · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only diurnal raptor species endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
They practice cooperative polyandry, where a single female mates with up to eight males who all assist in territorial defense and chick-rearing.
As an apex predator with no natural enemies, they exhibit 'island tameness' and frequently allow humans to approach closely.
Adults possess uniform sooty-brown plumage, whereas juveniles are heavily streaked with buff and brown to provide camouflage.
Their opportunistic diet includes marine iguanas, giant tortoise hatchlings, small rodents, and sea lion afterbirth.

Habitat

Arid lowlands, lava fields, deciduous forests, and volcanic mountain peaks.

Range

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Augur BuzzardButeo augur Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus Common BuzzardButeo buteo Eastern BuzzardButeo japonicus Ferruginous HawkButeo regalis Forest BuzzardButeo trizonatus Gray HawkButeo plagiatus Gray-lined HawkButeo nitidus

Heard a Galapagos Hawk?

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