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

Makira Owl

Athene roseoaxillaris

The Makira Owl is a small, rufous-brown owl endemic to the island of Makira, recently recognized as a distinct species within the Solomon Boobook complex.

What it sounds like

A series of low, rhythmic double-notes, typically sounding like a soft 'poo-poo' or 'who-who'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:31

Rec. Niels Krabbe · Solomon IslandsCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Its scientific name, roseoaxillaris, refers to the distinctive pinkish-buff coloration of its underwing axillaries (armpits).
It was historically classified as a subspecies of the Solomon Boobook (Ninox jacquinoti) before taxonomic revision moved it to the genus Athene.
The species is currently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to its extremely restricted range and the ongoing threat of commercial logging.
Unlike many related owls, it lacks prominent white facial markings, possessing a more uniform, warm-brown facial disk.
It is primarily insectivorous, though it is known to supplement its diet with small vertebrates found within the forest canopy.

Habitat

Primary and secondary tropical moist lowland and montane forests.

Range

Makira Island (formerly San Cristobal), Solomon Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Burrowing OwlAthene cunicularia Forest OwletAthene blewitti Guadalcanal OwlAthene granti Little OwlAthene noctua Malaita OwlAthene malaitae Spotted OwletAthene brama West Solomons OwlAthene jacquinoti White-browed OwlAthene superciliaris

Heard a Makira Owl?

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