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-bibbed Tit

Poecile hypermelaenus

The Black-bibbed Tit is a small, energetic passerine characterized by its prominent black throat patch and contrasting pale cheeks, closely resembling the Marsh Tit.

What it sounds like

A series of sharp, nasal 'tzee-tzee-tzee' notes and a characteristic explosive 'pitchu' call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. JJSUN · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically classified as a subspecies of the Marsh Tit before being elevated to full species status based on genetic and vocal differences.
The species is distinguished by a noticeably larger, more sharply defined black bib compared to its closest relatives.
They are non-migratory, sedentary birds that remain in their montane territories year-round.
During winter, they often join mixed-species foraging flocks to increase protection from predators.
They are secondary cavity nesters, primarily utilizing old woodpecker holes or natural hollows in decaying trees.

Habitat

Mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, montane woodlands, and high-altitude scrub.

Range

Central and southern China, extending into northern Myanmar and northwestern Vietnam.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-capped ChickadeePoecile atricapillus Boreal ChickadeePoecile hudsonicus Carolina ChickadeePoecile carolinensis Caspian TitPoecile hyrcanus Chestnut-backed ChickadeePoecile rufescens Gray-headed ChickadeePoecile cinctus Marsh TitPoecile palustris Mexican ChickadeePoecile sclateri

Heard a Black-bibbed Tit?

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