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

Himalayan Cuckoo

Cuculus saturatus

A medium-sized brood parasite of the Cuculidae family, native to the montane forests of the Himalayas and East Asia.

What it sounds like

A distinctive, low-pitched, rhythmic series of four hollow notes, typically transcribed as 'hu-hu-hu-hu'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:07

Rec. Mike Nelson · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a specialized brood parasite that primarily targets the nests of leaf warblers, particularly those in the genus Phylloscopus.
The species is visually nearly identical to the Common Cuckoo but is distinguished by its unique vocalizations and smaller size.
It exhibits Accipiter mimicry, using its barred underparts to resemble a hawk and frighten host birds away from their nests.
Previously considered conspecific with the Oriental Cuckoo, it was split into a separate species based on distinct four-note calls.
A rufous 'hepatic' morph occurs in some females, providing a distinct color variation from the typical slate-gray plumage.

Habitat

Montane coniferous, deciduous, and mixed temperate forests.

Range

Breeds from the Himalayas through southern China and northern Southeast Asia; winters in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African CuckooCuculus gularis Black CuckooCuculus clamosus Common CuckooCuculus canorus Indian CuckooCuculus micropterus Lesser CuckooCuculus poliocephalus Madagascar CuckooCuculus rochii Oriental CuckooCuculus optatus Red-chested CuckooCuculus solitarius

Heard a Himalayan Cuckoo?

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Identify a bird by its song