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

Rufous-bellied Kookaburra

Dacelo gaudichaud

A striking, medium-sized forest kingfisher distinguished by its vibrant blue wings, white collar, and rich cinnamon-orange underparts.

What it sounds like

A rapid, rhythmic series of dry, barking 'tuk' or 'kow' notes that often accelerate and rise in pitch.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Jan-Uwe Schmidt · Papua New GuineaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It exhibits sexual dimorphism in tail color, with males possessing blue tails and females/juveniles having rufous tails.
Unlike its larger relatives, it is a specialist of dense lowland rainforests rather than open woodlands.
It primarily nests in active arboreal termite mounds, excavating a tunnel and chamber within the structure.
Its diet is predominantly insectivorous, focusing on large beetles, crickets, and spiders found in the canopy and sub-canopy.
The species is highly territorial and typically lives in permanent pairs or small family groups.

Habitat

Primary lowland rainforest, swamp forests, and dense secondary growth.

Range

New Guinea and surrounding islands, including the Aru Islands and Waigeo.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue-winged KookaburraDacelo leachii Laughing KookaburraDacelo novaeguineae Rufous-bellied KookaburraDacelo gaudichaud Shovel-billed KookaburraDacelo rex Spangled KookaburraDacelo tyro Spangled KookaburraDacelo tyro

Heard a Rufous-bellied Kookaburra?

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Identify a bird by its song