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

Black-backed Grosbeak

Pheucticus aureoventris

A large, robust finch-like bird of the South American Andes, distinguished by the male's striking black hood and bright yellow underparts.

What it sounds like

A rich, melodious series of liquid, whistled phrases similar to an American Robin but slower and more resonant.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. David F. Belmonte · PeruCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest species within the genus Pheucticus, reaching lengths of up to 22 centimeters.
The species displays strong sexual dimorphism, with males featuring jet-black upperparts while females are brownish and heavily streaked.
Their massive, silver-gray bills are specialized for crushing extremely hard seeds and the pits of stone fruits.
While primarily associated with the Andes, a disjunct population resides in the lowlands of the Brazilian Cerrado and the Pantanal.
Unlike many of its northern relatives, this species is largely non-migratory, though it may perform minor altitudinal shifts seasonally.

Habitat

Montane evergreen forests, deciduous woodlands, arid scrub, and suburban gardens.

Range

The Andes mountains from Venezuela to northern Argentina, as well as southern Brazil and Paraguay.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-headed GrosbeakPheucticus melanocephalus Black-thighed GrosbeakPheucticus tibialis Golden GrosbeakPheucticus chrysogaster Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus Yellow GrosbeakPheucticus chrysopeplus

Heard a Black-backed Grosbeak?

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