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

Scrub Nightjar

Nyctidromus anthonyi

A small, nocturnal member of the goatsucker family endemic to the Tumbesian region, known for its cryptic, grayish-brown plumage and terrestrial habits.

What it sounds like

A rising, whistled 'kwee-er' or 'pwee-er', sometimes followed by a softer, lower-pitched note.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Paul Coopmans · PeruCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is significantly smaller and more pale than its close relative, the Common Pauraque.
The species was named in honor of Harold Elmer Anthony, an American mammalogist who collected the type specimen in 1921.
It possesses large rictal bristles around the mouth that likely aid in guiding insects into its wide gape during flight.
During the day, it relies on its intricate camouflage to remain invisible while roosting directly on the leaf litter.
Males display prominent white wing and tail patches during courtship to signal to potential mates in low-light conditions.

Habitat

Arid scrub, dry deciduous forests, and edges of agricultural fields.

Range

Western Ecuador and northwestern Peru.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common PauraqueNyctidromus albicollis

Heard a Scrub Nightjar?

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