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 Sacred Ibis

Threskiornis bernieri

The Malagasy Sacred Ibis is a rare, endangered wading bird distinguished from its African relatives by its pale blue eyes and strictly coastal preferences.

What it sounds like

Generally silent, but produces occasional harsh croaks, raspy grunts, or wheezing sounds during the breeding season.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

Distinguished from the African Sacred Ibis by its pale blue or white iris, whereas its mainland relative has dark brown eyes.
It is currently classified as Endangered, with a global population estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.
While closely related to the African Sacred Ibis, it lacks the dark tips on the primary feathers seen in the mainland species.
The species is highly specialized for coastal life, rarely venturing more than a few kilometers inland from the sea.
Their diet consists primarily of crustaceans, mollusks, and small invertebrates foraged from intertidal mudflats.

Habitat

Coastal mudflats, mangrove swamps, estuaries, and shallow saline lagoons.

Range

The western and southern coasts of Madagascar and the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Sacred IbisThreskiornis aethiopicus Australian IbisThreskiornis molucca Black-headed IbisThreskiornis melanocephalus Reunion IbisThreskiornis solitarius Reunion IbisThreskiornis solitarius Straw-necked IbisThreskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked IbisThreskiornis spinicollis

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