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

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

The Great Black Hawk is a large, broad-winged neotropical raptor characterized by its striking coal-black plumage and exceptionally long, yellow legs.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, piercing whistle often described as 'wheeeeee-urrr'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

Field notes

It possesses distinctive white bands on its tail and white base-patches on the primary feathers visible in flight.
Immature individuals take several years to reach adult plumage, appearing buffy-streaked with dark brown rather than solid black.
The species is known for its generalist diet, hunting everything from crabs and frogs to small mammals and other birds.
It often hunts on foot in shallow water or along forest edges, utilizing its long legs to navigate dense vegetation.
The species belongs to the genus Buteogallus, which contains several 'crab-hawks' specialized for coastal or riparian hunting.

Habitat

Lowland forests, mangroves, and swampy edges near water sources.

Range

Mexico through Central America to northern Argentina and Peru.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chaco EagleButeogallus coronatus Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus Cuban Black HawkButeogallus gundlachii Rufous Crab HawkButeogallus aequinoctialis Savanna HawkButeogallus meridionalis Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus Solitary EagleButeogallus solitarius

Heard a Great Black 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