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

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

The Harris's Hawk is a unique, social raptor of the desert Southwest, distinguished by its chestnut-colored wing patches and cooperative hunting strategies.

What it sounds like

A harsh, raspy, descending screech or a low, grating growl.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:20

Rec. Ricardo José Mitidieri · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They are the only raptors known to hunt cooperatively in social groups or 'packs,' earning them the nickname 'Wolves of the Sky'.
Groups often engage in 'stacking,' where several hawks perch on top of one another to gain a better vantage point in flat terrain.
Unlike most birds of prey, they frequently exhibit polyandry, where a single female may mate with and receive help from multiple males.
They utilize a diverse diet and can collectively take down prey much larger than themselves, such as jackrabbits.
Their social intelligence makes them highly popular in falconry, as they are capable of bonding with humans more easily than solitary species.

Habitat

Arid scrublands, mesquite savannas, and desert lowlands with tall cacti or poles for perching.

Range

Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) south through Mexico and Central America into South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

White-rumped HawkParabuteo leucorrhous

Heard a Harris's Hawk?

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