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-billed Seed-Finch

Sporophila atrirostris

A large-billed Neotropical songbird, the Black-billed Seed-Finch is distinguished by its massive crushing mandible and the male's uniform black plumage.

What it sounds like

A sweet, complex series of melodic whistles and clear, rising warbles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Paul Coopmans · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formerly classified in the genus Oryzoborus, it was moved to Sporophila based on molecular phylogenetic evidence.
The species possesses an exceptionally deep and powerful bill specialized for cracking hard-shelled seeds.
It displays strong sexual dimorphism; males are coal-black with small white wing spots, while females are warm cinnamon-brown.
It is closely related to the Great-billed Seed-Finch but is generally smaller and features a darker bill.
Due to its melodic song, it is unfortunately targeted by the illegal cage-bird trade in parts of its range.

Habitat

Wet grasslands, marshy edges, and shrubby clearings near water.

Range

Upper Amazon Basin and eastern Andean foothills across Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and northern Bolivia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-and-tawny SeedeaterSporophila nigrorufa Black-and-white SeedeaterSporophila luctuosa Black-bellied SeedeaterSporophila melanogaster Buffy-fronted SeedeaterSporophila frontalis Chestnut SeedeaterSporophila cinnamomea Chestnut-bellied Seed-FinchSporophila angolensis Chestnut-bellied SeedeaterSporophila castaneiventris Chestnut-throated SeedeaterSporophila telasco

Heard a Black-billed Seed-Finch?

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