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 Quail

Synoicus ypsilophorus

The Brown Quail is a small, plump ground-dwelling bird characterized by its intricate, scalloped brown plumage and secretive behavior. It is the most common and widespread quail species found throughout the Australian continent.

What it sounds like

A clear, rising two-note whistle often interpreted as 'be-quick' or 'fwee-whit'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:59

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

Field notes

It exhibits significant plumage variation across its range, with colors shifting from grey-brown to deep rufous to match local soil and vegetation.
Brown Quails are highly social and typically travel in groups known as 'coveys,' ranging from 10 to 30 individuals.
Unlike many galliforms, they are extremely reluctant to fly, preferring to run through thick undergrowth to evade predators.
The species is opportunistic, feeding on a diverse mix of seeds, green shoots, and small invertebrates like termites and grasshoppers.
Breeding occurs in a grass-lined scrape on the ground, often so well-concealed that it is invisible even from a few feet away.

Habitat

Dense grasslands, swamp margins, bracken fern thickets, and agricultural fringes.

Range

Australia, New Guinea, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue QuailSynoicus adansonii Blue-breasted QuailSynoicus chinensis Snow Mountain QuailSynoicus monorthonyx

Heard a Brown Quail?

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