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

Trumpeter Hornbill

Bycanistes bucinator

The Trumpeter Hornbill is a large, gregarious bird recognized by its massive grey casque and distinctively loud, wailing vocalizations. It plays a vital role as a seed disperser within its forest ecosystems.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, drawn-out, nasal wails that sound remarkably like a distressed or crying baby.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · South AfricaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is named for its loud, nasal call which famously resembles the sound of a crying human infant.
Males possess a much larger casque than females, which serves as a structural reinforcement and a resonant chamber for vocalizing.
During the breeding cycle, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity with mud, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male feeds her.
While primarily frugivorous with a strong preference for wild figs, they also consume insects and small land mollusks.
Outside of the breeding season, they are highly social and can be found in noisy flocks of up to 50 individuals.

Habitat

Lowland evergreen forests, riverine forests, and coastal forest mosaics.

Range

Eastern and Southern Africa, ranging from Burundi and Kenya south to eastern South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-and-white-casqued HornbillBycanistes subcylindricus Brown-cheeked HornbillBycanistes cylindricus Piping HornbillBycanistes fistulator Silvery-cheeked HornbillBycanistes brevis Silvery-cheeked HornbillBycanistes brevis White-thighed HornbillBycanistes albotibialis

Heard a Trumpeter Hornbill?

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Identify a bird by its song