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

Zanzibar Red Bishop

Euplectes nigroventris

The Zanzibar Red Bishop is a small weaver bird where breeding males display a striking contrast of fiery scarlet upperparts and a black face and belly.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched series of buzzy notes followed by a rapid, sizzling trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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

Field notes

It is one of the smallest species in the genus Euplectes, typically measuring only 10 centimeters in length.
Unlike the Southern Red Bishop, the male Zanzibar Red Bishop lacks a red collar, with the black of the throat extending higher.
The species is highly polygynous, with a single male often defending a territory containing several active nests.
During the non-breeding season, males undergo a complete molt into a cryptic, streaked brown 'eclipse' plumage nearly identical to females.
While named after Zanzibar, it is also widely distributed across the coastal mainland of East Africa.

Habitat

Tall coastal grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields with tall crops.

Range

Coastal East Africa, ranging from southeastern Kenya through Tanzania to northern Mozambique, including Zanzibar and Pemba.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black BishopEuplectes gierowii Black-winged BishopEuplectes hordeaceus Buff-shouldered WidowbirdEuplectes psammacromius Fan-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes axillaris Fire-fronted BishopEuplectes diadematus Golden-backed BishopEuplectes aureus Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni

Heard a Zanzibar Red Bishop?

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