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

Golden-backed Bishop

Euplectes aureus

The Golden-backed Bishop is a striking member of the weaver family where breeding males display a vibrant contrast of golden-yellow and jet-black plumage.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, metallic 'tsip' notes followed by a dry, sizzling or buzzing trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Phil Gregory · Sao TomeCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Breeding males possess a brilliant yellow mantle, rump, and crown that contrast sharply with a black face and underparts.
The species is largely endemic to western Angola, with an isolated and potentially introduced population on São Tomé.
Like many 'bishop' species, they are highly polygynous, with one male defending a territory containing several nesting females.
Non-breeding males undergo a complete molt into a drab, streaky brown 'eclipse' plumage, resembling females and juveniles.
They are primarily granivorous, focusing on the seeds of grasses and sedges, but will supplement their diet with insects during the breeding season.

Habitat

Dry savannas, tall grasslands, and agricultural areas, often in close proximity to water or marshes.

Range

Coastal and western Angola, and the Gulf of Guinea island of São Tomé.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black BishopEuplectes gierowii Black-winged BishopEuplectes hordeaceus Buff-shouldered WidowbirdEuplectes psammacromius Fan-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes axillaris Fire-fronted BishopEuplectes diadematus Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progne

Heard a Golden-backed Bishop?

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