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-breasted Starling

Lamprotornis regius

A strikingly beautiful African starling characterized by its vibrant yellow underparts and exceptionally long, iridescent violet-blue tail.

What it sounds like

A complex and varied series of melodious liquid whistles interspersed with harsh, raspy chattering and warbles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Andrew Spencer · EthiopiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a cooperative breeder, with family groups of up to a dozen individuals assisting the dominant pair in raising their young.
The brilliant metallic green and blue coloration is structural, resulting from the microscopic arrangement of platelets in the feather barbules.
Unlike most other glossy starlings, this species possesses a highly elongated, graduated tail that can exceed the length of its body.
Its diet is primarily insectivorous, with a particular preference for termites caught during their reproductive flights.
In flight, the species is easily identified by its slender profile and the shimmering contrast between its golden breast and dark wings.

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid savannas, acacia-dominated scrublands, and thornbush country.

Range

East Africa, specifically ranging across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and northeastern Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Pied StarlingLamprotornis bicolor Ashy StarlingLamprotornis unicolor Bronze-tailed StarlingLamprotornis chalcurus Burchell's StarlingLamprotornis australis Cape StarlingLamprotornis nitens Chestnut-bellied StarlingLamprotornis pulcher Emerald StarlingLamprotornis iris Fischer's StarlingLamprotornis fischeri

Heard a Golden-breasted Starling?

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