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

Sulawesi Honey-buzzard

Pernis celebensis

A medium-sized, sedentary raptor endemic to the Sulawesi subregion, specialized in raiding the nests of social Hymenoptera. It is noted for its striking plumage mimicry of the sympatric Sulawesi Hawk-eagle.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, thin rising whistle described as 'wheee-uh' or a series of rapid, staccato notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:32

Rec. David Farrow · IndonesiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a specialized feeder on the larvae, pupae, and honeycombs of social bees and wasps.
Features unique scale-like feathers on the lores and around the eyes to protect against insect stings.
Exhibits Batesian mimicry, evolving plumage that nearly perfectly matches the more powerful Sulawesi Hawk-eagle.
Unlike many other honey-buzzard species, the Sulawesi Honey-buzzard is entirely non-migratory.
The species possesses relatively straight claws, an adaptation for walking on the ground or inside tree cavities while foraging.

Habitat

Primary and secondary lowland and montane rainforests, forest edges, and occasionally nearby plantations.

Range

Endemic to Sulawesi and adjacent islands including Muna, Buton, Banggai, and the Sula archipelago.

Similar & commonly confused birds

European Honey-buzzardPernis apivorus Oriental Honey-buzzardPernis ptilorhynchus Philippine Honey-buzzardPernis steerei

Heard a Sulawesi Honey-buzzard?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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