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

Henst's Goshawk

Astur henstii

A large, powerful forest raptor endemic to Madagascar, Henst's Goshawk is a secretive apex predator of the island's primary woodlands.

What it sounds like

A rapid, high-pitched series of 'keey-keey-keey' or 'kak-kak-kak' notes, primarily heard during the breeding season.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest member of its genus in Madagascar, uniquely adapted for maneuvering through dense canopy.
Its diet is remarkably diverse, including large prey such as lemurs, poultry, and other forest birds.
The species exhibits significant reverse sexual size dimorphism, with females being substantially larger than males.
Nests are bulky structures of sticks typically positioned high in the forks of large forest trees.
It is currently classified as Near Threatened due to the rapid loss of primary rainforest habitat and local persecution.

Habitat

Primary humid rainforests, sub-humid woodlands, and occasionally montane forests up to 1,800 meters.

Range

Endemic to Madagascar.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American GoshawkAstur atricapillus Bicolored HawkAstur bicolor Black GoshawkAstur melanoleucus Chilean HawkAstur chilensis Cooper's HawkAstur cooperii Eurasian GoshawkAstur gentilis Gundlach's HawkAstur gundlachi Meyer's GoshawkAstur meyerianus

Heard a Henst's Goshawk?

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