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

Savanna Hawk

Buteogallus meridionalis

A large, long-legged raptor characterized by its striking rufous plumage and terrestrial hunting habits. It is a common sight across the open grasslands and marshes of the Neotropics.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, and drawn-out screaming whistle, often transcribed as 'keee-ee-arr'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses exceptionally long yellow legs adapted for stalking prey through tall grass and shallow water.
This species is well-known for following grass fires to opportunistically hunt small animals fleeing the flames.
Its plumage features distinctive fine dark barring over a predominantly cinnamon-red body, contrasting with black flight feathers.
Unlike many Buteogallus species, it is frequently seen walking or running on the ground to pursue insects and small vertebrates.
It has a relatively short tail featuring a single conspicuous white median band and a white tip.

Habitat

Tropical savannas, palm groves, wet grasslands, and cattle ranches.

Range

Panama and Trinidad south through South America to central Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chaco EagleButeogallus coronatus Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus Cuban Black HawkButeogallus gundlachii Great Black HawkButeogallus urubitinga Rufous Crab HawkButeogallus aequinoctialis Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus Slate-colored HawkButeogallus schistaceus Solitary EagleButeogallus solitarius

Heard a Savanna Hawk?

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