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

Burmese Shrike

Lanius collurioides

The Burmese Shrike is a small, predatory songbird known for its striking chestnut mantle and characteristic black 'bandit' mask. It is a member of the Laniidae family, often observed perched prominently on wires or branches to spot prey.

What it sounds like

A harsh, rasping 'zhert-zhert' alarm call and a complex, melodious song that incorporates fluid mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ding Li Yong · CambodiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is known for the 'larder' behavior of impaling insects and small vertebrates on thorns or barbed wire to assist in tearing them apart.
The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, where females often show fine vermiculations or barring on their flanks unlike the cleaner-white underparts of males.
It is a highly skilled mimic, capable of imitating the songs and calls of various other bird species within its environment.
The species is partially migratory, with some populations breeding in southern China and wintering further south in the Indochinese Peninsula.
Unlike the similar Long-tailed Shrike, the Burmese Shrike is smaller and possesses a noticeably shorter tail relative to its body size.

Habitat

Open deciduous forest, scrubland, forest edges, and cultivated areas with scattered trees.

Range

Southeast Asia, spanning Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and southern China.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bay-backed ShrikeLanius vittatus Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus Bull-headed ShrikeLanius bucephalus Chinese Gray ShrikeLanius sphenocercus Emin's ShrikeLanius gubernator Giant ShrikeLanius giganteus Gray-backed FiscalLanius excubitoroides Gray-backed ShrikeLanius tephronotus

Heard a Burmese Shrike?

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