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

Ashy-throated Warbler

Phylloscopus maculipennis

A small, active leaf warbler distinguished by its contrasting greyish head, ashy-white throat, and a brilliant yellow rump that flashes during flight. It is a high-altitude specialist primarily found in the montane forests of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched, and sharp 'tsip' or 'zi'; the song is a rapid, tinkling series of high-frequency notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Peter Ericsson · ThailandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a bright yellow rump patch which, along with white-edged outer tail feathers, serves as a key identification feature.
The species is known for its altitudinal migration, breeding at elevations up to 3,500 meters and descending to lower foothills during the winter months.
It frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, often seen flitting rapidly through the canopy alongside tits and other warblers.
Unlike many similar Phylloscopus species, it has a prominent pale median crown stripe and two distinct yellowish wing bars.
Its scientific name, maculipennis, refers to the white spots or markings found on its wing and tail feathers.

Habitat

Subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, favoring oak, rhododendron, and coniferous trees.

Range

Himalayan range including India, Nepal, and Bhutan, extending into parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alström's WarblerPhylloscopus soror Arctic WarblerPhylloscopus borealis 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 Ashy-throated Warbler?

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