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

Lilac-breasted Roller

Coracias caudatus

A brilliantly multi-colored member of the roller family, famous for its acrobatic aerial displays and status as a quintessential African savanna bird.

What it sounds like

A loud, harsh, and discordant 'rak-rak' or a rasping squawk, typically uttered during flight or when alarmed.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:18

Rec. Marc Anderson · BotswanaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the unofficial national bird of Kenya and the official national bird of Botswana.
The species is named for its 'rolling' courtship flight, which involves steep dives and rapid side-to-side body rotations.
It is a highly opportunistic hunter that often perches near bushfires to prey on insects and small animals fleeing the flames.
Unlike many brightly colored birds, both sexes share the same vivid plumage, featuring approximately eight distinct colors.
They are socially monogamous and highly territorial, fiercely defending their nesting sites in tree cavities against larger raptors.

Habitat

Grassy savannas, open woodlands, and bushy scrublands with scattered trees for perching.

Range

Widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian RollerCoracias abyssinicus Blue-bellied RollerCoracias cyanogaster European RollerCoracias garrulus Indian RollerCoracias benghalensis Indochinese RollerCoracias affinis Purple RollerCoracias naevius Purple RollerCoracias naevius Purple-winged RollerCoracias temminckii

Heard a Lilac-breasted Roller?

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