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

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao

The Scarlet Macaw is a large, iconic Neotropical parrot characterized by its brilliant tri-colored plumage and long, pointed tail feathers. It is a highly intelligent and social species often observed in monogamous pairs or small family groups.

What it sounds like

Loud, raucous, and guttural squawks or screams, often described as a piercing 'RRAAA-awk' that can carry for miles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:37

Rec. Paul Driver · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They are among the few bird species that mate for life, often flying in such close proximity that their wingtips nearly touch.
Their powerful beaks can generate pressures of up to 200 psi, allowing them to crack open extremely hard nuts and seeds.
They frequently visit riverside clay licks to ingest mineral-rich soil, which is believed to neutralize toxins found in their diet of unripe fruits.
Scarlet Macaws are zygodactyl, meaning they have two toes facing forward and two facing backward, providing a specialized grip for climbing and food manipulation.
In the wild, they play a crucial role as seed dispersers, helping to maintain the biodiversity of the tropical ecosystems they inhabit.

Habitat

Lowland humid rainforests, open woodlands, river edges, and mangroves.

Range

Southern Mexico through Central America to the Amazonian regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue-and-yellow MacawAra ararauna Blue-throated MacawAra glaucogularis Chestnut-fronted MacawAra severus Cuban MacawAra tricolor Great Green MacawAra ambiguus Military MacawAra militaris Red-and-green MacawAra chloropterus Red-fronted MacawAra rubrogenys

Heard a Scarlet Macaw?

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