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

Alström's Warbler

Phylloscopus soror

Alström's Warbler is a small, vibrant leaf warbler formerly classified within the Golden-spectacled Warbler complex, distinguished by its bright yellow underparts and striped head.

What it sounds like

A sharp, high-pitched 'psit' or 'tsit' call, and a song consisting of a rapid, thin, descending trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:54

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

Field notes

The species was named in honor of Swedish ornithologist Per Alström, a leading expert on the taxonomy of Asian leaf warblers.
It was formally recognized as a distinct species in 1999 following a taxonomic split from the Golden-spectacled Warbler complex.
Morphological identification is notoriously difficult as it is nearly identical to Martens's Warbler, making vocal analysis essential for field ID.
Unlike many high-altitude warblers, it tends to breed at lower elevations, typically between 400 and 1,500 meters.
It possesses a distinctive 'spectacled' appearance created by a bold yellow eye-ring and dark lateral crown stripes.

Habitat

Subtropical and temperate broadleaved evergreen and deciduous forests, often preferring dense undergrowth.

Range

Breeds in central and southern China; winters in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Arctic WarblerPhylloscopus borealis Ashy-throated WarblerPhylloscopus maculipennis Biak Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus misoriensis Bianchi's WarblerPhylloscopus valentini Black-capped Woodland-WarblerPhylloscopus herberti Blyth's Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus reguloides Brooks's Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus subviridis Brown Woodland-WarblerPhylloscopus umbrovirens

Heard a Alström's Warbler?

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