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

Jackson's Widowbird

Euplectes jacksoni

A specialized weaver of East African highlands, the Jackson's Widowbird is famous for the male's elaborate jumping courtship displays and long, arching black tail feathers.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, thin 'tseet' calls and a soft, rhythmic sizzling or jingling sound produced during display jumps.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Brendan Sloan · KenyaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males create 'dancing rings' by thinning out grass around a central tuft, which they jump over repeatedly to attract females.
Female mate selection is based on a combination of the male's tail length and his physical stamina during jumping performances.
During the breeding season, males transform from a streaky brown color to jet-black plumage with a 20-centimeter decurved tail.
The species is near-threatened due to habitat loss from intensive agriculture and overgrazing in its restricted montane range.
Unlike many other widowbirds, the Jackson's Widowbird is almost entirely restricted to high-altitude grasslands above 1,500 meters.

Habitat

Montane grasslands and open plateau fields.

Range

Highlands of Kenya and northern Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black BishopEuplectes gierowii Black-winged BishopEuplectes hordeaceus Buff-shouldered WidowbirdEuplectes psammacromius Fan-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes axillaris Fire-fronted BishopEuplectes diadematus Golden-backed BishopEuplectes aureus Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progne

Heard a Jackson's Widowbird?

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