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-necked Raven

Corvus albicollis

A large, robust African corvid distinguished by its massive, white-tipped bill and a prominent white patch on the nape of the neck.

What it sounds like

A deep, throaty 'kraak-kraak' with a unique, strained falsetto tone that sounds higher than the Common Raven.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Dries Van de Loock · MalawiCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses one of the deepest and most powerful bills of any corvid, which it uses to break open bones and tough carrion.
This species is known to drop tortoises from great heights onto rocky surfaces to shatter their shells and access the meat.
Unlike many other large ravens, it has a notably short, square-ended tail that gives it a distinct silhouette in flight.
It is a highly skilled aerialist, often performing acrobatic rolls and dives along mountain ridges and cliff faces.
Despite its size, its vocalizations are surprisingly high-pitched and often have a distinct falsetto or croaking quality.

Habitat

Mountainous regions, rocky cliffs, and crags, often ranging into adjacent open country and human settlements.

Range

Eastern and Southern Africa, from Kenya and Uganda south to the Cape of South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American CrowCorvus brachyrhynchos Australian RavenCorvus coronoides Banggai CrowCorvus unicolor Bismarck CrowCorvus insularis Bougainville CrowCorvus meeki Brown-headed CrowCorvus fuscicapillus Brown-necked RavenCorvus ruficollis Cape CrowCorvus capensis

Heard a White-necked Raven?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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