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 Sandgrouse

Pterocles personatus

The Madagascar Sandgrouse is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Madagascar, known for its cryptic camouflage and specialized desert adaptations.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, guttural 'ag-ag-ag' or a series of musical, whistling notes typically uttered during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males exhibit a striking black facial mask that encircles the base of the bill, while females are more uniformly barred for camouflage.
They possess specialized belly feathers capable of absorbing and retaining water, allowing males to transport liquid to chicks over long distances.
This species is highly gregarious and is most frequently observed in large flocks congregating at watering holes during dawn and dusk.
Their diet is almost entirely granivorous, consisting of small seeds foraged from the floor of dry, open landscapes.
Unlike many other birds, they do not build complex nests, instead laying their eggs in simple, shallow scrapes on the bare ground.

Habitat

Dry deciduous forests, thorny scrublands, and semi-arid savannas.

Range

Endemic to the western and southern regions of Madagascar.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-bellied SandgrousePterocles orientalis Black-faced SandgrousePterocles decoratus Burchell's SandgrousePterocles burchelli Chestnut-bellied SandgrousePterocles exustus Crowned SandgrousePterocles coronatus Double-banded SandgrousePterocles bicinctus Four-banded SandgrousePterocles quadricinctus Lichtenstein's SandgrousePterocles lichtensteinii

Heard a Madagascar Sandgrouse?

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

Identify a bird by its song