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-throated Sparrow

Amphispiza bilineata

A striking desert-dwelling sparrow recognized by its bold black throat and white facial stripes, remarkably adapted to North America's most arid environments.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, metallic song consisting of two clear introductory notes followed by a variable, tinkling trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. Pat Goltz · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It can survive indefinitely without drinking liquid water, obtaining all necessary moisture from a diet of seeds and insects.
Unlike many sparrow species, both males and females possess the namesake jet-black throat patch.
Juvenile birds lack the black throat entirely, instead featuring a white throat and a finely streaked breast.
They are known to be 'water-independent,' a physiological adaptation that allows them to inhabit dry regions where other birds cannot survive.
When agitated or running across the desert floor, they often hold their tails at a jaunty, upward angle similar to a wren.

Habitat

Arid desert scrub, rocky slopes, and bajadas with creosote bush, cactus, and mesquite.

Range

Southwestern United States and much of Mexico.

Heard a Black-throated Sparrow?

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