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

Brown-backed Mockingbird

Mimus dorsalis

The Brown-backed Mockingbird is a large, high-altitude mimid characterized by its distinctive chestnut-colored mantle and terrestrial foraging behavior. It is a prominent songbird of the Andean puna and scrub zones.

What it sounds like

A complex and melodious medley of rich warbles, repetitive trills, and expert imitations of other bird species.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:18

Rec. Peter Boesman · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the largest species in the Mimus genus, reaching up to 29 centimeters in length.
Unlike most mockingbirds, this species is specialized for high-elevation life, typically residing between 2,500 and 4,500 meters.
Its plumage features a diagnostic warm rufous-brown back that contrasts sharply with its grey crown and white-tipped tail feathers.
It displays highly terrestrial behavior, often seen running swiftly across open ground rather than flying between perches.
The species is a prolific mimic, weaving the calls of sympatric Andean birds into its own long, complex vocal sequences.

Habitat

High-altitude Andean scrublands, Puna grasslands, and agricultural margins with scattered bushes.

Range

Central and southern Andes, including southern Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bahama MockingbirdMimus gundlachii Chalk-browed MockingbirdMimus saturninus Chilean MockingbirdMimus thenca Española MockingbirdMimus macdonaldi Floreana MockingbirdMimus trifasciatus Galapagos MockingbirdMimus parvulus Long-tailed MockingbirdMimus longicaudatus Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos

Heard a Brown-backed Mockingbird?

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