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

Northern Black-Flycatcher

Melaenornis edolioides

The Northern Black-Flycatcher is a sleek, uniformly black passerine common in the open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is often confused with drongos but is distinguished by its square tail and dark eyes.

What it sounds like

A musical series of mellow, liquid whistles interspersed with harsh 'tcheek' notes and mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Alain Malengreau · SenegalCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It closely resembles the aggressive Fork-tailed Drongo, a form of mimicry that likely deters potential predators.
Unlike the drongos it mimics, this species possesses a square-ended tail and a dark brown iris rather than a red one.
The species primarily feeds on insects, utilizing a 'sit-and-wait' predatory style to sally from low perches.
It is a versatile vocalist and frequently incorporates the songs and alarm calls of other bird species into its own repertoire.
During the breeding season, it builds a neat, shallow cup nest composed of fine grass and rootlets, often reinforced with spider webs.

Habitat

Savanna, open woodland, riverine thickets, and large suburban gardens.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal and Gambia east to Ethiopia and south to Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis chocolatinus Angola Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis brunneus Nimba FlycatcherMelaenornis annamarulae Southern Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis pammelaina White-eyed Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis fischeri Yellow-eyed Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis ardesiacus

Heard a Northern Black-Flycatcher?

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