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

Variable Hawk

Geranoaetus polyosoma

A medium-to-large South American raptor renowned for its extraordinary plumage polymorphism and adaptability across diverse elevations.

What it sounds like

A rapid, high-pitched series of nasal barking notes, typically rendered as 'kee-kee-kee-kee'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Mitch Lysinger · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Plumage is so varied that it encompasses over 20 distinct morphs, ranging from almost entirely black to white-bellied with grey upperparts.
Adult females often display a large rufous patch on their back (mantle), a feature typically absent or reduced in males.
The species was previously classified as two separate species, the Red-backed Hawk and the Puna Hawk, before being merged due to extensive interbreeding.
They are highly opportunistic hunters, preying on mammals like cavies and rabbits, as well as birds, reptiles, and large invertebrates.
They are known to engage in spectacular aerial displays during the breeding season, including high-altitude soaring and rapid dives.

Habitat

Open habitats including paramo, puna, scrublands, and coastal deserts from sea level to 4,600 meters.

Range

Widespread throughout western and southern South America, including the Andes and the Falkland Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-chested Buzzard-EagleGeranoaetus melanoleucus White-tailed HawkGeranoaetus albicaudatus

Heard a Variable Hawk?

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