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

Roadside Hawk

Rupornis magnirostris

The Roadside Hawk is a vocal, medium-sized Neotropical raptor frequently seen perched on utility poles and fence posts. It is one of the most common and adaptable hawks within its range, thriving in human-altered landscapes.

What it sounds like

A loud, high-pitched, nasal, and piercing whistle, often transcribed as a descending 'kee-yeeeer'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Marcos E. Sosa · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the most common Buteo-like hawk in the Neotropics, often displaying a high tolerance for human activity.
The species is highly territorial and will loudly scold intruders or predators with persistent, piercing screams.
While it primarily eats insects and reptiles, it is an opportunistic hunter known to take small mammals and other birds.
Its physical build features relatively short, rounded wings and a long tail, adaptations for maneuvering through forest edges.
During the breeding season, they become exceptionally aggressive and are known to dive-bomb animals or humans near their nests.

Habitat

Open woodlands, agricultural fields, savannas, and forest edges, especially along roadsides.

Range

Widespread throughout the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico south to northern Argentina and Uruguay.

Heard a Roadside 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