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

Andean Lapwing

Vanellus resplendens

A large, vocal wader of the high Andes, characterized by its grey head and striking metallic bronze-green wing coverts. It is a hallmark species of the South American puna and paramo zones.

What it sounds like

A loud, repetitive, and metallic 'pit-pit-pit' or a harsh, rasping 'kree-kree-kree' given in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:02

Rec. Cristian Pinto · ChileCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike many other Vanellus species, the Andean Lapwing lacks the sharp bony spurs on the carpal joint of the wings.
It is primarily a high-altitude specialist, typically found at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 meters.
The species is largely sedentary, remaining in its high-mountain habitat year-round rather than migrating to lower elevations.
Its iris is a vivid red or pinkish-red, which contrasts sharply against its soft grey facial plumage.
They are highly territorial during the breeding season and will aggressively mob potential predators with loud vocalizations and dive-bombing.

Habitat

High-altitude grasslands, marshy alpine meadows (bofedales), and the shorelines of Andean lakes.

Range

The Andes mountains from southwestern Colombia and Ecuador south to northern Chile and Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Banded LapwingVanellus tricolor Black-headed LapwingVanellus tectus Black-winged LapwingVanellus melanopterus Blacksmith LapwingVanellus armatus Brown-chested LapwingVanellus superciliosus Crowned LapwingVanellus coronatus Gray-headed LapwingVanellus cinereus Javan LapwingVanellus macropterus

Heard a Andean Lapwing?

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

Identify a bird by its song