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

Letter-winged Kite

Elanus scriptus

The Letter-winged Kite is a small, pale Australian raptor uniquely distinguished as the world's only primarily nocturnal member of the Accipitridae family. It is named for the bold black 'M' or 'W' pattern visible across the underwings during flight.

What it sounds like

A loud, rasping 'kar-kar-kar' or a sharp, repetitive whistling 'chew-chew-chew'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Mike Letnic · AustraliaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only diurnal raptor relative globally to have evolved a strictly nocturnal hunting lifestyle.
The species experiences dramatic 'boom and bust' population cycles linked to outbreaks of the Long-haired Rat.
Its eyes are larger and more forward-facing than those of its close relative, the Black-shouldered Kite, to enhance night vision.
They are highly gregarious and frequently nest in dense colonies, a rarity among birds of prey.
During extreme droughts, the species undergoes massive irruptions to coastal areas, though these populations rarely survive or establish permanently.

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid grasslands, gibber plains, and open desert woodlands, typically near ephemeral watercourses.

Range

The arid interior of Australia, primarily focused in the Lake Eyre basin and the Channel Country.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-shouldered KiteElanus axillaris Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleus White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus

Heard a Letter-winged Kite?

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