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

White Cockatoo

Cacatua alba

The White Cockatoo, also known as the Umbrella Cockatoo, is a large, strikingly white parrot characterized by its expansive, semicircular head crest. It is a highly social and intelligent species endemic to the tropical rainforests of Indonesia.

What it sounds like

Extremely loud, harsh, and nasal screeching or squawking, often delivered in rhythmic series.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is endemic specifically to the islands of the North Maluku province in Indonesia.
The bird possesses a 'recumbent' crest, meaning the feathers lie flat until raised into a broad, umbrella-like fan during displays.
It is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN, primarily due to habitat loss and trapping for the cage bird trade.
Like other parrots, it is zygodactyl, with two toes facing forward and two facing backward to assist in complex climbing and food manipulation.
While the plumage is predominantly white, the undersides of the wings and tail feathers exhibit a pale lemon-yellow tint visible during flight.

Habitat

Primary and secondary lowland tropical rainforests, mangroves, and forested agricultural areas.

Range

North Maluku islands of Indonesia, including Halmahera, Bacan, Ternate, and Tidore.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue-eyed CockatooCacatua ophthalmica Citron-crested CockatooCacatua citrinocristata Little CorellaCacatua sanguinea Long-billed CorellaCacatua tenuirostris Philippine CockatooCacatua haematuropygia Pink CockatooCacatua leadbeateri Salmon-crested CockatooCacatua moluccensis Solomons CorellaCacatua ducorpsii

Heard a White Cockatoo?

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