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

Selva Cacique

Cacicus koepckeae

A rare and range-restricted icterid endemic to the lowland forests of southeastern Peru, characterized by its all-black plumage and striking yellow rump.

What it sounds like

A complex series of liquid, musical whistles interspersed with dry, mechanical rattling and chattering notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

Field notes

Named in honor of Maria Koepcke, a pioneering German-Peruvian ornithologist who discovered several endemic Peruvian species.
It is closely associated with lowland riverine forests and thickets of Guadua bamboo.
Unlike many other caciques, it does not typically nest in large colonies, appearing instead in pairs or small family groups.
The species was long overlooked by science due to its strong physical resemblance to the more widespread Solitary Cacique.
It is currently classified as Near Threatened because its entire global range is restricted to a small portion of the Amazonian lowlands.

Habitat

Tropical lowland evergreen forests, specifically riverine areas and bamboo-dominated thickets.

Range

Southeastern Peru, primarily within the departments of Ucayali, Madre de Dios, and Cusco.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Band-tailed CaciqueCacicus latirostris Casqued CaciqueCacicus oseryi Ecuadorian CaciqueCacicus sclateri Golden-winged CaciqueCacicus chrysopterus Mountain CaciqueCacicus chrysonotus Red-rumped CaciqueCacicus haemorrhous Scarlet-rumped CaciqueCacicus uropygialis Solitary Black CaciqueCacicus solitarius

Heard a Selva Cacique?

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