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

Madagascar Hoopoe

Upupa marginata

The Madagascar Hoopoe is a distinctive, ground-probing insectivore endemic to Madagascar, recognized by its striking retractable crest and long, decurved bill.

What it sounds like

A deep, resonant, trisyllabic 'hoop-hoop-hoop' that is significantly lower in frequency than the African Hoopoe.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:34

Rec. Frank Lambert · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest species in the genus Upupa and was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian Hoopoe.
Unlike many other hoopoe species, its vocalization is notably lower in pitch and typically trisyllabic.
The female possesses a specialized uropygial gland that produces a foul-smelling secretion to deter predators from the nest.
The bird’s signature crest is composed of cinnamon feathers with broad black tips, which it fans out during displays or upon landing.
They are primarily terrestrial foragers, using their specialized bills to probe soil and leaf litter for insect larvae and pupae.

Habitat

Open woodlands, dry deciduous forests, and savanna regions.

Range

Endemic to the island of Madagascar.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common HoopoeUpupa epops St. Helena HoopoeUpupa antaios

Heard a Madagascar Hoopoe?

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