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

Apolinar's Wren

Cistothorus apolinari

The Apolinar's Wren is a rare, endangered passerine endemic to the high-altitude wetlands of the Colombian Andes. It is a specialist of reed-dominated marshlands and is known for its secretive behavior.

What it sounds like

A series of low, scratchy gurgles and dry, mechanical rattles, often described as 'tche-tche-tche-tchrrr'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:46

Rec. Manuel Sánchez-Nivicela · ColombiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Named after Brother Apolinar María, a French monk and prominent naturalist who lived in Colombia.
It is an obligate specialist of 'juncales' (bulrush marshes), specifically Scirpus and Typha vegetation.
The species is classified as Endangered due to severe habitat loss from wetland drainage and agricultural expansion.
Unlike most Cistothorus species, it has a notably low-pitched and grating vocalization style.
It primarily feeds on small invertebrates and spiders gleaned from the base of aquatic plants.

Habitat

High-altitude freshwater marshes and paramo wetlands between 2,500 and 3,000 meters above sea level.

Range

Endemic to the Eastern Andes of Colombia, specifically in the departments of Cundinamarca and Boyacá.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Grass WrenCistothorus platensis Marsh WrenCistothorus palustris Merida WrenCistothorus meridae Sedge WrenCistothorus stellaris

Heard a Apolinar's Wren?

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