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

African Pipit

Anthus cinnamomeus

The African Pipit is a common, cryptically colored passerine often observed running through short grasslands with an upright, alert posture. It is a quintessential ground-dwelling bird of the African open plains, distinguished by its streaked plumage and long legs.

What it sounds like

A sharp, metallic 'chrep' or 'tshisp' contact call; the song is a repetitive, rhythmic 'pree-pree-pree' delivered during aerial displays.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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

Field notes

It was historically considered conspecific with the Richard's Pipit and Paddyfield Pipit until taxonomic splits recognized it as a distinct species.
The bird possesses a remarkably long and straight hindclaw, which is an adaptation for stability while walking and running on open ground.
During the breeding season, males perform an undulating display flight, rising high into the air and singing before parachuting back down.
Its foraging technique involves a rapid run-and-stop motion to flush out insects, rather than the hopping movement seen in many other songbirds.
The nest is a well-hidden cup of dry grass built in a small ground depression, frequently shielded by a tuft of vegetation to avoid predation.

Habitat

Short-grass plains, pastures, airfields, and recently burnt areas with sparse vegetation.

Range

Widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from the Ethiopian Highlands to the Cape of South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alpine PipitAnthus gutturalis American PipitAnthus rubescens Australian PipitAnthus australis Berthelot's PipitAnthus berthelotii Blyth's PipitAnthus godlewskii Buffy PipitAnthus vaalensis Bush PipitAnthus caffer Correndera PipitAnthus correndera

Heard a African Pipit?

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Identify a bird by its song