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

Gray Goshawk

Tachyspiza novaehollandiae

The Gray Goshawk is a powerful forest-dwelling raptor unique for its two distinct color phases, including a striking, genetically stable pure white morph. It is a specialized ambush predator characterized by extreme sexual size dimorphism.

What it sounds like

A rapid, high-pitched series of short, piercing 'kee-kee-kee' or 'whit-whit-whit' whistles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only bird of prey in the world known to have a stable, pure white morph that lacks any dark markings or melanistic patterning.
The species exhibits significant sexual dimorphism; females are approximately twice the weight of males and can hunt much larger prey like scrubfowl.
In Tasmania, the population consists almost exclusively of the white morph, whereas the grey morph is more frequent in northern Australia.
They are monogamous and highly territorial, often occupying and defending the same patch of forest for many consecutive years.
Their short, rounded wings and long tail are evolutionary adaptations for high-speed maneuverability through dense forest canopies.

Habitat

Primary rainforests, tall wet eucalypt forests, and dense riverine woodlands.

Range

Coastal northern and eastern Australia, Tasmania, and parts of New Guinea.

Similar & commonly confused birds

BesraTachyspiza virgata Black-mantled GoshawkTachyspiza melanochlamys Brown GoshawkTachyspiza fasciata Chinese SparrowhawkTachyspiza soloensis Collared SparrowhawkTachyspiza cirrocephala Fiji GoshawkTachyspiza rufitorques Frances's SparrowhawkTachyspiza francesiae Gray-headed GoshawkTachyspiza poliocephala

Heard a Gray Goshawk?

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