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

Rock Eagle-Owl

Bubo bengalensis

A large, powerful owl of the Indian subcontinent distinguished by its prominent ear tufts and striking orange-yellow eyes. It is an apex nocturnal predator well-adapted to rocky, broken terrain.

What it sounds like

A deep, resonant, double-noted hoot 'bu-booh', with the second note being much louder and more elongated.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:22

Rec. Jairam Vijayan · IndiaCC BY-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Nests are typically simple scrapes located on cliff ledges, steep banks, or on the ground under the shelter of a bush.
Though primarily a rodent hunter, it is capable of taking large prey including hares, peafowl, and other birds of prey.
The facial disc is prominently framed by a black border, which accentuates its large, forward-facing eyes.
Formerly classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian Eagle-Owl (Bubo bubo), it is now recognized as a distinct species.
They are highly territorial and pairs often occupy the same rocky outcrop or ravine for many consecutive years.

Habitat

Rocky hills, bush-covered canyons, ravines, and old quarries.

Range

The Indian subcontinent, spanning India, Pakistan, Nepal, and western Myanmar.

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 Pharaoh Eagle-OwlBubo ascalaphus Snowy OwlBubo scandiacus

Heard a Rock Eagle-Owl?

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