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

Whiskered Screech-Owl

Megascops trichopsis

A small, nocturnal raptor of montane woodlands, the Whiskered Screech-Owl is best known for its unique 'telegraphic' call and long facial bristles.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic series of short, hollow hoots in a 'Morse code' pattern: 'hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 10:55

Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest screech-owl species found within the United States.
Possesses long, hair-like rictal bristles around its beak, which are significantly more prominent than those of its close relatives.
Differentiated from the Western Screech-Owl primarily by its smaller feet and distinct vocal patterns.
Primarily insectivorous, it feeds on beetles, moths, and crickets caught in flight or snatched from foliage.
Strictly nocturnal, it typically spends its days roosting deep within dense foliage or tree cavities to avoid detection.

Habitat

Oak-pine forests, montane woodlands, and riparian canyons, usually at higher elevations than other screech-owls.

Range

Southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south through the highlands of Mexico to Nicaragua.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Balsas Screech-OwlMegascops seductus Bare-shanked Screech-OwlMegascops clarkii Bearded Screech-OwlMegascops barbarus Black-capped Screech-OwlMegascops atricapilla Choco Screech-OwlMegascops centralis Cinnamon Screech-OwlMegascops petersoni Cloud-forest Screech-OwlMegascops marshalli Eastern Screech-OwlMegascops asio

Heard a Whiskered Screech-Owl?

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