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 Pratincole

Glareola ocularis

A medium-sized, long-winged wader characterized by its swift-like flight and aerial agility. It is a unique transoceanic migrant that bridges Madagascar and the East African mainland.

What it sounds like

A sharp, metallic 'kik-kik-kik' or a high-pitched 'wek-wek' often delivered during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:07

Rec. Bernard BOUSQUET · MadagascarCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the pratincole family that breeds exclusively on the island of Madagascar.
Unlike most shorebirds, it primarily feeds on the wing, catching insects in mid-air with swallow-like maneuverability.
The species is categorized as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with a declining population estimated at fewer than 10,000 individuals.
It undergoes a significant annual migration across the Mozambique Channel to winter along the East African coast.
Nests are typically located on large, flat rocks or sandbanks within fast-flowing rivers to minimize predator access.

Habitat

Rocky riverbeds, sandbars, coastal lagoons, and seasonally flooded grasslands.

Range

Breeds in Madagascar; migrates to the East African coast, ranging from Somalia to Mozambique.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Australian PratincoleGlareola isabella Black-winged PratincoleGlareola nordmanni Collared PratincoleGlareola pratincola Gray PratincoleGlareola cinerea Oriental PratincoleGlareola maldivarum Rock PratincoleGlareola nuchalis Small PratincoleGlareola lactea

Heard a Madagascar Pratincole?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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