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

Red-shouldered Hawk

Buteo lineatus

A medium-sized woodland hawk recognized by its vibrant rufous breast and striking black-and-white wing patterning. It is most often found in moist, deciduous forests near water sources.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, and repeated 'kee-aah', with the first syllable stressed and the second trailing off.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:44

Rec. Valerie Heemstra · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses distinct translucent 'windows' near the wingtips that are highly visible when soaring against the light.
Demonstrates high site fidelity, often returning to the exact same nesting territory for several consecutive years.
Dietary specialist of riparian zones, frequently consuming more amphibians and reptiles than other Buteo species.
Engages in 'sky-dancing' aerial displays during courtship, involving series of steep dives and upward swoops.
The Blue Jay is known to frequently mimic this hawk's loud, whistled call to distract other birds or signal danger.

Habitat

Bottomland hardwood forests, flooded deciduous woodlands, and suburban areas with mature trees near water.

Range

Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast, and a separate population along the Pacific Coast.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Augur BuzzardButeo augur Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterus Common BuzzardButeo buteo Eastern BuzzardButeo japonicus Ferruginous HawkButeo regalis Forest BuzzardButeo trizonatus Galapagos HawkButeo galapagoensis Gray HawkButeo plagiatus

Heard a Red-shouldered Hawk?

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