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

St. Helena Hoopoe

Upupa antaios

An extinct, likely flightless member of the hoopoe family that was endemic to the island of Saint Helena. It was significantly larger and more robust than its extant relatives, specializing in a terrestrial lifestyle.

What it sounds like

Unknown; scientifically inferred to be a resonant, low-pitched 'hoop-hoop' similar to Upupa epops but deeper in tone.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only species within the order Bucerotiformes known to have evolved flightlessness or near-flightlessness.
The species was first described by ornithologist Storrs Olson in 1975 based on subfossil skeletal remains.
Its humerus was significantly reduced while its leg bones were heavily built, indicating a shift from aerial to cursorial locomotion.
The bird likely predated upon the Saint Helena giant earwig, another extinct endemic that grew up to 8 centimeters in length.
Extinction likely occurred shortly after the island's discovery in 1502 due to predation by introduced cats and black rats.

Habitat

Arid lowland scrub and coastal desert regions

Range

Saint Helena Island (South Atlantic Ocean)

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common HoopoeUpupa epops Madagascar HoopoeUpupa marginata

Heard a St. Helena Hoopoe?

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