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

Steppe Eagle

Aquila nipalensis

A large, dark brown raptor of the open plains, the Steppe Eagle is a specialized predator and scavenger known for its exceptionally long migratory journeys. It is distinguished by a deep yellow gape that extends further back than in any other eagle species.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent; during breeding or when threatened, it emits a harsh, croaking 'kyow-kyow' or a raspy bark.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The yellow gape of the Steppe Eagle is unique because it extends back past the middle of the eye, unlike the similar Lesser Spotted Eagle.
It is a specialized hunter of ground squirrels (Spermophilus), often waiting patiently at burrow entrances to ambush its prey.
The species is the national animal of Kazakhstan and is depicted on the country's national flag.
Unlike many other large eagles that prefer high cliffs or trees, the Steppe Eagle frequently builds its large stick nest directly on the ground.
It is a long-distance migrant, with some individuals traveling over 10,000 kilometers between Eurasian breeding grounds and wintering sites in Africa or South Asia.

Habitat

Open, arid environments including steppes, semi-deserts, savannas, and alpine meadows.

Range

Breeds from Romania east through Central Asia to Mongolia; winters in East and Southern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Hawk-EagleAquila spilogaster Bonelli's EagleAquila fasciata Cassin's Hawk-EagleAquila africana Golden EagleAquila chrysaetos Gurney's EagleAquila gurneyi Gurney's EagleAquila gurneyi Imperial EagleAquila heliaca Spanish EagleAquila adalberti

Heard a Steppe Eagle?

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