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

Orange-throated Longclaw

Macronyx capensis

A striking ground-dwelling passerine of southern Africa, easily identified by its vibrant orange throat and bold black chest band.

What it sounds like

A clear, penetrating whistle often transcribed as 'cheewee-cheewee' and a cat-like 'mewing' alarm note.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:19

Rec. Dawie de Swardt · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It exhibits remarkable convergent evolution with North American meadowlarks, sharing similar plumage despite being unrelated.
The bird possesses an unusually long hind claw, which helps it walk and balance on matted grass.
It builds a well-concealed cup nest on the ground, typically tucked into a dense tuft of grass.
Though primarily insectivorous, it is known to forage for seeds and small amphibians during certain seasons.
Both sexes display the namesake orange throat, though the female's coloration is generally slightly duller than the male's.

Habitat

Montane and coastal grasslands, fynbos, and agricultural pastures.

Range

Southern Africa, including South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian LongclawMacronyx flavicollis Fülleborn's LongclawMacronyx fuelleborni Grimwood's LongclawMacronyx grimwoodi Pangani LongclawMacronyx aurantiigula Rosy-throated LongclawMacronyx ameliae Rosy-throated LongclawMacronyx ameliae Sharpe's LongclawMacronyx sharpei Yellow-throated LongclawMacronyx croceus

Heard a Orange-throated Longclaw?

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