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-necked Woodpecker

Colaptes atricollis

The Black-necked Woodpecker is a distinctive Peruvian endemic found in arid landscapes, characterized by its bold black throat patch and barred plumage.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing series of 'kwee-kwee-kwee' notes and a rhythmic, sharp 'wick-wick-wick' rattle.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Mario Tenorio Maldonado · PeruCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is strictly endemic to the western slopes and inter-montane valleys of the Peruvian Andes.
Unlike many forest-dwelling relatives, it frequently nests and forages within large columnar cacti.
The species displays sexual dimorphism, where males feature a red malar stripe that is entirely absent in females.
It often descends to the ground to forage for ants and larvae, a behavior shared with its North American 'flicker' relatives.
The wings feature bright golden-yellow linings that are highly conspicuous when the bird is in flight.

Habitat

Arid montane scrub, cactus-dominated hillsides, and dry riparian thickets.

Range

Western Peru

Similar & commonly confused birds

Andean FlickerColaptes rupicola Bermuda FlickerColaptes oceanicus Campo FlickerColaptes campestris Chilean FlickerColaptes pitius Crimson-mantled WoodpeckerColaptes rivolii Fernandina's FlickerColaptes fernandinae Gilded FlickerColaptes chrysoides Golden-olive WoodpeckerColaptes rubiginosus

Heard a Black-necked Woodpecker?

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