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 Dipper

Cinclus pallasii

The Brown Dipper is a robust, chocolate-colored passerine specialized for an aquatic lifestyle along turbulent mountain torrents. It is the largest of the five dipper species, uniquely adapted to forage underwater in freezing conditions.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, and metallic 'zeet' or 'dzit', along with a complex warbling song designed to be heard over the roar of rushing water.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a high concentration of hemoglobin, allowing it to remain submerged in cold water for up to 30 seconds.
The species utilizes its wings to effectively 'fly' underwater against strong river currents to reach the benthos.
A specialized movable flap called a nasal operculum seals its nostrils shut while it is diving.
Unlike most songbirds, it lacks a brood patch; the thick downy plumage provides sufficient insulation for egg incubation.
It demonstrates high site fidelity, often defending the same stretch of mountain stream year-round.

Habitat

Fast-flowing, unpolluted mountain streams and rocky rivers with clear water.

Range

The mountains of the Eastern Palearctic, ranging from the Himalayas and Indochina to Japan and Kamchatka.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American DipperCinclus mexicanus Rufous-throated DipperCinclus schulzii Rufous-throated DipperCinclus schulzii White-capped DipperCinclus leucocephalus White-throated DipperCinclus cinclus

Heard a Brown Dipper?

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