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

Pharaoh Eagle-Owl

Bubo ascalaphus

A medium-sized, desert-adapted owl of the Bubo genus, distinguished by its pale sandy plumage and striking orange-yellow eyes. It is a formidable nocturnal predator of arid landscapes across North Africa and the Middle East.

What it sounds like

A deep, two-syllable 'bu-ooh' hoot, with the second note being slightly higher in pitch and more emphatic.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · OmanCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is significantly smaller and paler than its close relative, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, an adaptation to its desert environment.
Nesting occurs primarily on cliff ledges, in rocky crevices, or inside caves rather than in trees.
The species displays prominent ear tufts that are frequently held horizontally or lowered rather than standing upright.
Its diet is highly opportunistic, encompassing scorpions, lizards, and large insects alongside rodents and birds.
Pairs are monogamous and maintain long-term territories, often returning to the same nesting site for many years.

Habitat

Arid deserts, rocky mountain slopes, canyons, and dry wadis.

Range

North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of the Middle East.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Arabian Eagle-OwlBubo milesi Cape Eagle-OwlBubo capensis Eurasian Eagle-OwlBubo bubo Grayish Eagle-OwlBubo cinerascens Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus Lesser Horned OwlBubo magellanicus Rock Eagle-OwlBubo bengalensis Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus

Heard a Pharaoh Eagle-Owl?

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