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-cheeked Warbler

Basileuterus melanogenys

A distinctive New World warbler endemic to the high-elevation forests of the Talamancan mountains. It is easily recognized by its striking black face mask and rufous crown.

What it sounds like

A sharp, high-pitched 'tsit' call and a song consisting of a rapid, squeaky series of thin, accelerating notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:23

Rec. Hans Matheve · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a regional endemic restricted to the cordilleras of Costa Rica and western Panama.
The species is characterized by a bright rufous crown bordered by black and a prominent black ear-patch.
Unlike many arboreal warblers, it predominantly forages in the dense understory and on the ground, often tossing leaves to find insects.
It is highly social and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, often acting as a core member alongside bush-tanagers.
The species is typically found at high altitudes, generally ranging from 1,500 meters up to the timberline at 3,000 meters.

Habitat

Humid montane forests, oak-dominated woodlands, and dense bamboo thickets.

Range

Talamancan highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chestnut-capped WarblerBasileuterus delattrii Costa Rican WarblerBasileuterus melanotis Golden-browed WarblerBasileuterus belli Golden-crowned WarblerBasileuterus culicivorus Pirre WarblerBasileuterus ignotus Rufous-capped WarblerBasileuterus rufifrons Tacarcuna WarblerBasileuterus tacarcunae Three-banded WarblerBasileuterus trifasciatus

Heard a Black-cheeked Warbler?

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Identify a bird by its song