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

Ala Shan Redstart

Phoenicurus alaschanicus

A rare and visually striking chat endemic to north-central China, the Ala Shan Redstart is distinguished by the male's brilliant silvery-blue crown and vibrant rufous underparts.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched 'seee' whistle and a melodious song consisting of short, varied warbling phrases.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Mats Rellmar · ChinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is phylogenetically considered the most basal or 'primitive' member of the Phoenicurus genus.
Unlike many of its relatives, the Ala Shan Redstart lacks a white wing patch, which is a key diagnostic feature in the field.
Sexual dimorphism is significant; while males are brightly colored, females are a cryptic sandy-brown to help blend into rocky terrain.
The species is highly stenotopic, meaning it is restricted to a very specific and narrow range of environmental conditions.
It is currently classified as Near Threatened due to its small, fragmented population and the degradation of its specialized scrub habitat.

Habitat

Montane scrubland, juniper thickets, and rocky ravines, typically between 1,600 and 3,500 meters in elevation.

Range

North-central China, primarily restricted to the Helan Mountains (Ala Shan) and parts of Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros Blue-capped RedstartPhoenicurus coeruleocephala Blue-fronted RedstartPhoenicurus frontalis Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurus Daurian RedstartPhoenicurus auroreus Hodgson's RedstartPhoenicurus hodgsoni Luzon RedstartPhoenicurus bicolor Moussier's RedstartPhoenicurus moussieri

Heard a Ala Shan Redstart?

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Identify a bird by its song