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-headed Parrot

Poicephalus cryptoxanthus

A small, stocky green parrot characterized by its earthy-brown head and vibrant yellow underwing coverts that are most visible during flight.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, metallic shrieks and sharp, repetitive whistling notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:35

Rec. Bobby Wilcox · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species name 'cryptoxanthus' means 'hidden yellow,' referring to the bright yellow axillary feathers usually concealed by the wings.
It is the smallest representative of the genus Poicephalus, typically measuring around 22 centimeters in length.
These parrots show a strong ecological preference for Baobab and Mopane trees for both foraging and nesting.
While they are social and gather in small groups, they are remarkably well-camouflaged and often difficult to spot while feeding in the canopy.
Their diet is highly specialized toward the seeds of the Natal Mahogany and various wild fig species.

Habitat

Lowland savanna woodlands, coastal forests, and riparian zones.

Range

Southeastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and northeastern South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown-necked ParrotPoicephalus fuscicollis Cape ParrotPoicephalus robustus Meyer's ParrotPoicephalus meyeri Niam-Niam ParrotPoicephalus crassus Red-bellied ParrotPoicephalus rufiventris Red-fronted ParrotPoicephalus gulielmi Rüppell's ParrotPoicephalus rueppellii Senegal ParrotPoicephalus senegalus

Heard a Brown-headed Parrot?

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