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

Asir Magpie

Pica asirensis

The Asir Magpie is a rare, endangered corvid endemic to the high-altitude juniper forests of southwestern Saudi Arabia. It is physically distinguished from the Eurasian Magpie by its more extensive black plumage and distinct vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A harsh, rapid 'cha-cha-cha' chatter and a distinctive, high-pitched 'whee-ee' whistle.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:28

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

Field notes

It is one of the rarest birds in the world, with an estimated population of fewer than 135 breeding pairs.
The species is Saudi Arabia's only endemic bird, found nowhere else on Earth.
Unlike the Eurasian Magpie, its wings and tail show very little iridescent green or blue, appearing mostly matte black.
Its survival is critically dependent on the health of old-growth African Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests.
Genetic analysis indicates it diverged from other Pica species approximately 1.4 to 2 million years ago.

Habitat

High-altitude African Juniper forests and adjacent terraced agricultural lands above 2,100 meters.

Range

Asir Mountains of southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-billed MagpiePica hudsonia Black-rumped MagpiePica bottanensis Eurasian MagpiePica pica Maghreb MagpiePica mauritanica Oriental MagpiePica serica Yellow-billed MagpiePica nuttalli

Heard a Asir Magpie?

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Identify a bird by its song