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

American Three-toed Woodpecker

Picoides dorsalis

A medium-sized, hardy woodpecker of northern coniferous forests, specialized for feeding on bark-dwelling beetle larvae in disturbed landscapes.

What it sounds like

A sharp, flat 'pik' or 'chuck' note; drumming is a relatively slow, steady roll that may accelerate slightly at the end.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 10:22

Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of only two North American woodpecker species with three toes instead of four, an adaptation thought to allow for a more powerful strike.
The male features a distinct yellow crown patch, whereas the female's crown is entirely black and white.
Unlike many woodpeckers that drill deep holes, this species primarily forages by flaking off large patches of bark to reach beetle larvae.
It is highly attracted to recently burned forests and areas with major bark beetle outbreaks, often arriving shortly after a disturbance.
They are remarkably quiet and sedentary for woodpeckers, often remaining motionless on a single tree for long periods while foraging.

Habitat

High-elevation subalpine and boreal coniferous forests, particularly those containing spruce, fir, and tamarack.

Range

Across Alaska and Canada to the Atlantic, extending south through the Rocky Mountain range into the southwestern United States.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticus Eurasian Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides tridactylus

Heard a American Three-toed Woodpecker?

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