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

Bay-backed Shrike

Lanius vittatus

A small, striking shrike of South Asia characterized by its rich maroon mantle, broad black eye mask, and prominent white wing patches.

What it sounds like

A mixture of harsh, grating 'tse-tse' scolding notes and complex, quiet musical mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Oscar Campbell · United Arab EmiratesCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest member of the Lanius genus found within the Indian subcontinent.
Engages in 'larder' behavior, impaling insects and small vertebrates on thorns to store for later consumption.
The species is a sophisticated vocal mimic, accurately imitating the calls of bulbuls, babblers, and even squirrels.
Unlike many shrikes, it possesses a distinctive white forehead that contrasts sharply with its black facial mask.
While primarily sedentary, northern populations may undertake short-distance altitudinal migrations during winter.

Habitat

Semi-arid scrubland, thorny thickets, and the edges of agricultural cultivation.

Range

Primarily the Indian Subcontinent, extending west into Pakistan, Afghanistan, and southeastern Iran.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus Bull-headed ShrikeLanius bucephalus Burmese ShrikeLanius collurioides Chinese Gray ShrikeLanius sphenocercus Emin's ShrikeLanius gubernator Giant ShrikeLanius giganteus Gray-backed FiscalLanius excubitoroides Gray-backed ShrikeLanius tephronotus

Heard a Bay-backed Shrike?

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