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 Pygmy Kingfisher

Ispidina picta

A diminutive, vibrantly colored kingfisher characterized by its orange underparts, blue back, and distinctive violet-washed ear patches.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, thin, insect-like 'tsip-tsip' typically emitted during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:27

Rec. Peter Boesman · GhanaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Measuring only 12 cm in length, it is one of the smallest kingfisher species in the world.
Unlike most kingfishers, it is primarily insectivorous, feeding on grasshoppers, mantids, and spiders rather than fish.
It is distinguished from the similar Malachite Kingfisher by the lack of a blue crest and the presence of violet plumage on the sides of the head.
The species is a partial migrant, with some populations traveling long distances across Africa to follow seasonal rainfall patterns.
It often hunts far from water, diving from low perches into leaf litter or grass to snatch prey.

Habitat

Woodlands, savannas, and coastal thickets, often independent of water sources.

Range

Widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Dwarf KingfisherIspidina lecontei

Heard a African Pygmy Kingfisher?

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Identify a bird by its song