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

Bridled Sparrow

Peucaea mystacalis

A large, strikingly patterned sparrow endemic to south-central Mexico, distinguished by its bold black-and-white facial 'bridle'.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched introductory 'tsip' followed by a rapid, accelerating trill of sweet, liquid notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Richard E. Webster · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest member of the genus Peucaea and possesses a notably long, rounded tail.
The distinctive facial pattern consists of a white mustache stripe sandwiched between a black malar stripe and a black mask.
Unlike many elusive sparrows, it often perches prominently on top of cacti or thorn bushes to sing.
The species is non-migratory, remaining in its restricted Mexican range year-round.
Its plumage features rich rufous tones on the wings and tail, contrasting with a clean grey breast.

Habitat

Arid to semi-arid thorn scrub, mezquital, and rocky hillsides dominated by organ pipe cacti.

Range

Endemic to the Balsas River basin and the Tehuacán Valley in south-central Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bachman's SparrowPeucaea aestivalis Black-chested SparrowPeucaea humeralis Botteri's SparrowPeucaea botterii Cassin's SparrowPeucaea cassinii Cinnamon-tailed SparrowPeucaea sumichrasti Rufous-winged SparrowPeucaea carpalis Stripe-headed SparrowPeucaea ruficauda

Heard a Bridled Sparrow?

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