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

Beautiful Woodpecker

Melanerpes pulcher

A striking, medium-sized woodpecker endemic to Colombia, characterized by its vibrant plumage and complex social structures.

What it sounds like

A loud, rolling 'churr' or rattling 'krr-rr-rr', often accompanied by sharp 'wicka' notes during social interactions.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. Jerome Fischer · ColombiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Golden-naped Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysauchen) before being recognized as a distinct species.
The species is a cooperative breeder, with multiple individuals often assisting a single breeding pair in raising young.
Sexual dimorphism is visible in the head plumage: males have a solid red crown, while females have a black band separating the red from the bill.
Their diet is highly omnivorous, consisting of a mix of insects, small fruits, and nectar taken from forest canopy flowers.
The species is confined to a relatively small range and is restricted to the humid forests of the Magdalena Valley.

Habitat

Humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, and plantations with tall trees.

Range

Endemic to north-central Colombia, specifically the Magdalena River Valley.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorus Black-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes pucherani Gila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialis Golden-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysogenys Golden-fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes aurifrons Golden-naped WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysauchen Gray-breasted WoodpeckerMelanerpes hypopolius Guadeloupe WoodpeckerMelanerpes herminieri

Heard a Beautiful Woodpecker?

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