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

Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo

Coccyzus longirostris

A large, endemic cuckoo of Hispaniola characterized by its exceptionally long bill and specialized lizard-hunting behavior.

What it sounds like

A rapid, rattling series of harsh 'ka-ka-ka' notes that typically slows down into a sequence of 'kau-kau-kau' whistles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ross Gallardy · Dominican RepublicCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was previously classified in the genus Saurothera, a name derived from Greek meaning 'lizard hunter'.
The species is non-parasitic, meaning it builds its own cup-shaped nest and raises its own chicks rather than laying eggs in other birds' nests.
Its diet consists predominantly of Anolis lizards, though it also consumes large insects, spiders, and occasionally small birds.
It features a striking red bare patch of skin around the eye and a long tail with bold white terminal spots on the underside.
Foraging involves a slow, methodical 'creep-and-peer' technique to locate camouflaged prey among dense foliage.

Habitat

Found across diverse landscapes including broadleaf forests, pine forests, scrublands, and shaded coffee plantations from sea level to high elevations.

Range

Endemic to the island of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, including satellite islands like Gonâve.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bay-breasted CuckooCoccyzus rufigularis Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmus Chestnut-bellied CuckooCoccyzus pluvialis Cocos CuckooCoccyzus ferrugineus Dark-billed CuckooCoccyzus melacoryphus Gray-capped CuckooCoccyzus lansbergi Great Lizard-CuckooCoccyzus merlini Jamaican Lizard-CuckooCoccyzus vetula

Heard a Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoo?

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