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

Superb Starling

Lamprotornis superbus

A small, brilliantly colored African starling characterized by iridescent blue-green upperparts and a distinctive white band separating its breast from a rufous belly.

What it sounds like

A loud and complex series of musical warbles, chattering notes, and occasional mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · KenyaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a striking creamy-white iris that contrasts sharply with its black head plumage.
The species is a cooperative breeder, with multiple individuals helping a dominant pair raise their young.
Unlike many iridescent birds, both sexes are monomorphic, meaning males and females look nearly identical.
They are highly opportunistic foragers, frequently scavenging for food near human dwellings and picnic sites.
Nests are large, globular structures constructed from thorny twigs, often placed in acacia trees for protection.

Habitat

Savanna, thornbush, open woodland, and cultivated gardens or suburban areas.

Range

East Africa, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Pied StarlingLamprotornis bicolor Ashy StarlingLamprotornis unicolor Bronze-tailed StarlingLamprotornis chalcurus Burchell's StarlingLamprotornis australis Cape StarlingLamprotornis nitens Chestnut-bellied StarlingLamprotornis pulcher Emerald StarlingLamprotornis iris Fischer's StarlingLamprotornis fischeri

Heard a Superb Starling?

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