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-headed Bunting

Emberiza melanocephala

A large, striking bunting of the Old World, notable for the male's vibrant yellow underparts and contrasting jet-black hood.

What it sounds like

A short, jerky song of metallic notes ending in a melodic flourish, often described as 'zrit-zrit-zrit-chee-chee-chee'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:29

Rec. Domagoj Tomičić · CroatiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males exhibit a diagnostic solid black hood that lacks the streaking found in similar bunting species.
It is a long-distance migrant, with almost the entire population wintering in western and central India.
Where their ranges overlap in the Caspian Sea region, they frequently hybridize with the Red-headed Bunting.
Unlike many buntings that nest on the ground, this species typically builds its nest in low bushes or grapevines.
They are highly gregarious during the winter, forming massive nomadic flocks in agricultural grain fields.

Habitat

Open bushy country, dry hillsides, orchards, and vineyards.

Range

Breeds from Southeast Europe to Iran; winters primarily in the Indian subcontinent.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-faced BuntingEmberiza spodocephala Brown-rumped BuntingEmberiza affinis Cabanis's BuntingEmberiza cabanisi Cape BuntingEmberiza capensis Chestnut BuntingEmberiza rutila Chestnut-eared BuntingEmberiza fucata Cinereous BuntingEmberiza cineracea Cinnamon-breasted BuntingEmberiza tahapisi

Heard a Black-headed Bunting?

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