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

Malagasy Harrier

Circus macrosceles

The Malagasy Harrier is a large, endangered bird of prey endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros, distinguished by its low-soaring flight over wetlands. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with silvery-grey males and larger, streaky brown females.

What it sounds like

Generally silent outside of breeding; during displays, it produces a rapid, high-pitched chattering 'kay-kay-kay' or 'quick-quick' sequence.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:04

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

Field notes

It is one of the world's largest harrier species, reaching a wingspan of up to 125 centimeters.
Formerly considered a subspecies of the Reunion Harrier, it was elevated to full species status based on significant genetic and morphological differences.
Like owls, it possesses a specialized facial disc that helps funnel sound to its ears, allowing it to locate prey by noise in dense vegetation.
It is a highly versatile hunter, preying on everything from small lemurs and tenrecs to birds, frogs, and reptiles.
The species is currently classified as Endangered, with an estimated global population of fewer than 1,000 mature individuals remaining.

Habitat

Marshes, reedbeds, rice paddies, and high-altitude grasslands or heaths.

Range

Endemic to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands (Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan).

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Marsh HarrierCircus ranivorus Black HarrierCircus maurus Cinereous HarrierCircus cinereus Eastern Marsh HarrierCircus spilonotus Hen HarrierCircus cyaneus Long-winged HarrierCircus buffoni Montagu's HarrierCircus pygargus Northern HarrierCircus hudsonius

Heard a Malagasy Harrier?

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