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

Monteiro's Hornbill

Tockus monteiri

Monteiro's Hornbill is a large, desert-adapted bird characterized by its deep red bill and striking black-and-white plumage. It is a signature species of the arid landscapes of southwestern Africa.

What it sounds like

A repetitive, deep clucking 'kok-kok-kok-kok' that accelerates into a series of rhythmic, cackling notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Filippo Ceccolini · NamibiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is nearly endemic to Namibia, with a range extending only slightly into the rocky escarpments of southwestern Angola.
Unlike many of its forest-dwelling relatives, this species is highly terrestrial and spends significant time foraging on the ground for insects and small reptiles.
The female seals herself into a nesting cavity using a mixture of mud, droppings, and fruit pulp, remaining imprisoned for several weeks during incubation.
It is uniquely adapted to survive in extreme desert conditions, often obtaining its required metabolic water solely from its prey.
During the breeding season, pairs engage in a rhythmic 'bowing' display, dipping their heads and fanning their tails while vocalizing.

Habitat

Arid savannas, dry thornveld, and rocky hillsides within semi-desert regions.

Range

Namibia and southwestern Angola.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Damara Red-billed HornbillTockus damarensis Eastern Yellow-billed HornbillTockus flavirostris Jackson's HornbillTockus jacksoni Northern Red-billed HornbillTockus erythrorhynchus Southern Red-billed HornbillTockus rufirostris Southern Red-billed HornbillTockus rufirostris Southern Yellow-billed HornbillTockus leucomelas Tanzanian Red-billed HornbillTockus ruahae

Heard a Monteiro's Hornbill?

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