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

Arabian Waxbill

Estrilda rufibarba

The Arabian Waxbill is a small, gregarious estrildid finch endemic to the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, distinguished by its prominent red eye-mask and finely barred grey-brown plumage.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee' or 'sweee' notes, often delivered in rapid series during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. David Darrell-Lambert · Saudi ArabiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is uniquely identified among similar waxbills by its bold red ocular stripe combined with a lack of red on the rump.
The species is currently classified as Near Threatened due to its restricted range and the impacts of agricultural changes.
It is primarily found at higher elevations, typically between 1,500 and 2,500 meters above sea level.
They are highly social birds, often forming small flocks that forage for grass seeds and small insects.
Their nests are classic estrildid domes made of grass and lined with feathers, often featuring a side entrance and sometimes a 'cock's nest' on top.

Habitat

Terraced cultivation, montane scrubland, and lush wadis with dense vegetation near water sources.

Range

Southwestern Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Anambra WaxbillEstrilda poliopareia Black-crowned WaxbillEstrilda nonnula Black-headed WaxbillEstrilda atricapilla Black-lored WaxbillEstrilda nigriloris Black-rumped WaxbillEstrilda troglodytes Common WaxbillEstrilda astrild Crimson-rumped WaxbillEstrilda rhodopyga Fawn-breasted WaxbillEstrilda paludicola

Heard a Arabian Waxbill?

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