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

Kalij Pheasant

Lophura leucomelanos

The Kalij Pheasant is a crested forest bird native to the Himalayan foothills, known for its distinct sexual dimorphism and ground-dwelling habits. It is a hardy species that has successfully established populations outside its native range, most notably in Hawaii.

What it sounds like

Loud, piercing whistles and chirrups, along with a rhythmic, mechanical-sounding wing-drumming.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Pratap Singh · IndiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males possess glossy blue-black plumage and a distinctive red facial patch, while females are almost entirely brown with pale feather edges.
During territorial displays, males produce a unique drumming sound by rapidly vibrating their wings against their bodies.
The species was introduced to the Big Island of Hawaii in 1962 and has become a common resident of the island's volcanic rainforests.
There are nine recognized subspecies that show a complex gradient of plumage variation from western to eastern populations.
Despite being a pheasant, it is relatively bold and frequently seen foraging along road edges or in clearings rather than remaining hidden in deep cover.

Habitat

Dense undergrowth in both evergreen and deciduous forests, often preferring steep hillsides and areas near water.

Range

Native to the foothills of the Himalayas from Pakistan to western Thailand; introduced to the Hawaiian Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bornean Crested FirebackLophura ignita Bornean Crestless FirebackLophura pyronota Bulwer's PheasantLophura bulweri Edwards's PheasantLophura edwardsi Malayan Crested FirebackLophura rufa Malayan Crestless FirebackLophura erythrophthalma Salvadori's PheasantLophura inornata Siamese FirebackLophura diardi

Heard a Kalij Pheasant?

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