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

Alpine Munia

Lonchura monticola

The Alpine Munia is a small, robust estrildid finch characterized by its striking black-and-white plumage and specialized high-altitude lifestyle. It is a localized endemic restricted to the rugged mountain peaks of New Guinea.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, thin 'seet' or 'tsit' contact notes and a quiet, wheezy series of warbles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is strictly endemic to the Owen Stanley Range in south-eastern New Guinea.
The species is one of the highest-dwelling estrildid finches, found at altitudes between 2,800 and 3,900 meters.
Its plumage features a distinctive deep black throat and breast-band that contrasts sharply with a clean white belly.
It possesses a disproportionately heavy, pale-grey conical bill designed for harvesting seeds from subalpine grasses.
While other munias are highly gregarious, the Alpine Munia is typically observed in smaller groups or pairs within its restricted range.

Habitat

Alpine and subalpine grasslands, often interspersed with shrubs or near the treeline.

Range

South-eastern New Guinea (Owen Stanley Range).

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bismarck MuniaLonchura melaena Black MuniaLonchura stygia Black-breasted MuniaLonchura teerinki Black-faced MuniaLonchura molucca Black-throated MuniaLonchura kelaarti Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapilla Chestnut-breasted MuniaLonchura castaneothorax Dusky MuniaLonchura fuscans

Heard a Alpine Munia?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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