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

Yellow-throated Longclaw

Macronyx croceus

The Yellow-throated Longclaw is a striking ground-dwelling passerine of African grasslands, easily identified by its brilliant yellow underparts and bold black breast band.

What it sounds like

A clear, ringing whistle often transcribed as 'preeee-ee' or 'twee-twee-twee', sometimes including cat-like mewing notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. isaac kilusu · TanzaniaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It provides a classic example of convergent evolution, appearing nearly identical in plumage and morphology to the unrelated American Meadowlark.
The 'longclaw' name refers to its exceptionally elongated hind toe (hallux) claw, which provides stability while walking on tangled or marshy vegetation.
Unlike many other pipits, it frequently perches on conspicuous vantage points like termite mounds and bushes to sing or survey its territory.
During courtship, males perform a distinctive aerial display, rising into the air before parachuting down with their wings held in a V-shape.
It is primarily insectivorous, specializing in hunting grasshoppers, mantids, and beetles flushed from the grass.

Habitat

Moist grasslands, open savannas, coastal floodplains, and fallow agricultural fields.

Range

Widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, occurring from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian LongclawMacronyx flavicollis Fülleborn's LongclawMacronyx fuelleborni Grimwood's LongclawMacronyx grimwoodi Orange-throated LongclawMacronyx capensis Pangani LongclawMacronyx aurantiigula Rosy-throated LongclawMacronyx ameliae Rosy-throated LongclawMacronyx ameliae Sharpe's LongclawMacronyx sharpei

Heard a Yellow-throated Longclaw?

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