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

Kangean Shama

Copsychus nigricauda

The Kangean Shama is a striking, long-tailed songbird endemic to the Kangean Islands, notable for its distinct lack of white tail feathers compared to its mainland relatives.

What it sounds like

A complex, highly melodious series of flute-like whistles and clear notes, often incorporating mimicry of other species.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike the closely related White-rumped Shama, this species possesses an entirely black tail with no white outer rectrices.
It is currently classified as Endangered due to extreme pressure from the illegal songbird trade and habitat loss.
The species was historically treated as a subspecies of Copsychus malabaricus before taxonomic elevation based on morphology and vocalizations.
Males exhibit a deep glossy blue-black upperbody and a rich rufous-orange belly, while females are generally duller.
It is a highly territorial understory specialist that is now increasingly rare in its restricted native range.

Habitat

Tropical moist lowland forests and dense secondary growth.

Range

Kangean Islands, Indonesia (located in the Java Sea).

Similar & commonly confused birds

Andaman ShamaCopsychus albiventris Black ShamaCopsychus cebuensis Indian RobinCopsychus fulicatus Kangean ShamaCopsychus nigricauda Larwo ShamaCopsychus omissus Madagascar Magpie-RobinCopsychus albospecularis Maratua ShamaCopsychus barbouri Oriental Magpie-RobinCopsychus saularis

Heard a Kangean Shama?

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