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

Kamao

Myadestes myadestinus

The Kamao was a large, endemic thrush of Kauai renowned for its haunting, flute-like song; it is now considered extinct.

What it sounds like

A complex, melodic sequence of liquid, flute-like whistles and warbles interspersed with buzzy notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was the largest of the Hawaiian thrushes, reaching a length of approximately 8 inches.
The species was known for a characteristic 'wing-quivering' display while perched on branches.
It served as a primary seed disperser for native high-elevation plants like the lapalapa and chelo.
The population collapsed rapidly in the 20th century due to avian malaria and habitat degradation.
The last confirmed sighting occurred in 1989, and it was officially declared extinct by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2023.

Habitat

Dense, high-elevation montane rainforests and bogs.

Range

Kauai, Hawaiian Islands

Similar & commonly confused birds

AmauiMyadestes woahensis Andean SolitaireMyadestes ralloides Black-faced SolitaireMyadestes melanops Brown-backed SolitaireMyadestes occidentalis Cuban SolitaireMyadestes elisabeth OlomaoMyadestes lanaiensis OmaoMyadestes obscurus PuaiohiMyadestes palmeri

Heard a Kamao?

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Identify a bird by its song