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

Pearl-breasted Swallow

Hirundo dimidiata

A small, dainty swallow of southern Africa distinguished by its glossy steel-blue upperparts and uniformly pale, unspotted underparts.

What it sounds like

A quiet, high-pitched twittering song and a simple 'chip' contact call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Frank Lambert · South AfricaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike many other members of the Hirundo genus, it completely lacks white spots on its tail feathers.
It is a monotypic species, meaning there are no currently recognized subspecies across its range.
The nest is a deep, cup-shaped structure made of mud pellets, often located in dark or sheltered spots like wells or disused tunnels.
While predominantly a resident in some areas, many populations undergo seasonal migrations toward the equator during the winter.
It is frequently seen in pairs or small family groups rather than the massive flocks typical of other swallow species.

Habitat

Open woodland, grassland, and shrubland, often near water or rocky outcrops.

Range

Southern Africa, ranging from Angola and southern DRC to South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Angola SwallowHirundo angolensis Barn SwallowHirundo rustica Black-and-rufous SwallowHirundo nigrorufa Ethiopian SwallowHirundo aethiopica Hill SwallowHirundo domicola Montane Blue SwallowHirundo atrocaerulea Pacific SwallowHirundo javanica Pied-winged SwallowHirundo leucosoma

Heard a Pearl-breasted Swallow?

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