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

Southern Black-Flycatcher

Melaenornis pammelaina

A medium-sized, glossy black passerine of African woodlands, frequently noted for its striking resemblance to the more aggressive Fork-tailed Drongo.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, thin 'tsee-it' or 'swee-er' whistles and soft, melodious warbling.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Dries Van de Loock · ZambiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Exhibits Batesian mimicry by evolving a similar appearance to the Fork-tailed Drongo to deter potential predators.
Can be distinguished from drongos by its dark brown iris and a square-tipped or only slightly notched tail.
Primarily an insectivore that employs a 'perch-and-pounce' hunting strategy, though it also consumes berries and nectar.
Typically nests in tree cavities, crevices, or the abandoned nests of other species like thrushes or weavers.
Highly territorial during breeding but may join mixed-species foraging flocks during the non-breeding season.

Habitat

Open woodlands, acacia savannas, riverine forests, and mature suburban gardens.

Range

Eastern and Southern Africa, from Kenya and the DRC south to South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis chocolatinus Angola Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis brunneus Nimba FlycatcherMelaenornis annamarulae Northern Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis edolioides White-eyed Slaty-FlycatcherMelaenornis fischeri Yellow-eyed Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis ardesiacus

Heard a Southern Black-Flycatcher?

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