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 Bullfinch

Pyrrhula nipalensis

A modest, drably colored finch of high-altitude Asian forests, distinguished from its relatives by a lack of vibrant pink or red plumage.

What it sounds like

A soft, plaintive, and piping 'pue-pue-pue' or a mellow 'hook' whistle.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:16

Rec. Marc Anderson · NepalCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike most members of its genus, this species shows minimal sexual dimorphism, with both sexes appearing primarily grayish-brown.
It features a conspicuous white rump patch that contrasts sharply with its dark tail and wings during flight.
The bird possesses a unique scaly pattern on its crown caused by dark feather edges.
It is a shy and unobtrusive species that often forages in small flocks within the canopy or dense undergrowth.
Its diet is specialized toward seeds and buds, particularly from conifers and birch trees found at high elevations.

Habitat

Montane broadleaf and coniferous forests, often between 1,800 and 3,900 meters.

Range

Himalayas across southern China to Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Azores BullfinchPyrrhula murina Eurasian BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula Gray-headed BullfinchPyrrhula erythaca Orange BullfinchPyrrhula aurantiaca Red-headed BullfinchPyrrhula erythrocephala Taiwan BullfinchPyrrhula owstoni White-cheeked BullfinchPyrrhula leucogenis

Heard a Brown Bullfinch?

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