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

Sulu Hornbill

Anthracoceros montani

The Sulu Hornbill is a critically endangered, medium-sized forest bird and the rarest hornbill species in the world. It is characterized by its striking all-black plumage and bill, which contrast sharply against its pure white tail feathers.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, harsh, and nasal shrieks or raucous cackles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Desmond Allen · PhilippinesCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

With a population estimated at fewer than 50 individuals, it is considered one of the most threatened bird species on Earth.
Unlike most other members of the genus Anthracoceros, this species possesses a completely jet-black bill and casque.
The species is now restricted to a tiny area of remaining forest on Tawi-Tawi, having been extirpated from the islands of Jolo and Sanga-Sanga.
Sexual dimorphism is visible in the eyes; males have a white iris, while the female's iris is dark brown.
It is a highly specialized frugivore, relying on large, old-growth dipterocarp trees for both its diet and its specific nesting requirements.

Habitat

Remaining fragments of primary, montane dipterocarp forest.

Range

Tawi-Tawi island in the Sulu Archipelago, Philippines.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black HornbillAnthracoceros malayanus Malabar Pied-HornbillAnthracoceros coronatus Oriental Pied-HornbillAnthracoceros albirostris Palawan HornbillAnthracoceros marchei

Heard a Sulu Hornbill?

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