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

Australian Pipit

Anthus australis

A slender, streaked brown ground-dweller frequently seen running across open terrain and bobbing its tail. It is Australia's only representative of the pipit family, often distinguished by its upright posture.

What it sounds like

A sharp, raspy 'cheep' or 'spirit' note; the song is a sequence of thin, wheezing trills delivered during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. Marc Anderson · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically grouped with the New Zealand and Richard's Pipits before being recognized as a distinct species.
The bird performs a characteristic 'tail-wagging' motion, pumping its tail up and down while perched or walking.
Nests are well-concealed cups built on the ground, typically sheltered by a grass tussock or a small rock.
To defend territory, males engage in an undulating display flight, ascending steeply before fluttering down while singing.
Their plumage provides excellent camouflage against dry grass and soil, making them difficult to spot until they flush.

Habitat

Open grasslands, pastures, airfields, coastal dunes, and cleared agricultural lands.

Range

Widespread throughout mainland Australia and Tasmania, though less common in the dense tropical north.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African PipitAnthus cinnamomeus Alpine PipitAnthus gutturalis American PipitAnthus rubescens Berthelot's PipitAnthus berthelotii Blyth's PipitAnthus godlewskii Buffy PipitAnthus vaalensis Bush PipitAnthus caffer Correndera PipitAnthus correndera

Heard a Australian Pipit?

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