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

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeus

A medium-sized, crepuscular owl characterized by its buoyant, moth-like flight and preference for hunting in open landscapes during dawn and dusk.

What it sounds like

A series of low, rhythmic barks or 'toots' during displays, and a raspy, high-pitched 'kee-aw' when alarmed.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · Russian FederationCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
Unlike most owls, it frequently nests on the ground, concealing its eggs within scrapes lined with grass and feathers.
The namesake 'ear tufts' are actually tiny feather clusters that are rarely visible unless the bird is in a defensive posture.
They are highly nomadic predators, often relocating their breeding grounds annually to follow cyclical eruptions of vole populations.
During courtship, males perform dramatic aerial 'sky dancing' displays, which include audible wing-clapping beneath their bodies.

Habitat

Open terrain including grasslands, marshes, prairies, tundra, and agricultural fields.

Range

Widespread across North America, Eurasia, South America, and various island chains including Hawaii and the Galapagos.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian OwlAsio abyssinicus Fearful OwlAsio solomonensis Jamaican OwlAsio grammicus Long-eared OwlAsio otus Madagascar OwlAsio madagascariensis Marsh OwlAsio capensis Striped OwlAsio clamator Stygian OwlAsio stygius

Heard a Short-eared Owl?

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