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

Bushy-crested Jay

Cyanocorax melanocyaneus

A social, dark-plumaged corvid notable for its thick, velvety frontal crest and striking yellow eyes. It is typically found in noisy, active groups within the montane forests of Central America.

What it sounds like

A varied repertoire of loud, harsh, nasal notes including 'cha-cha-cha' and raspy 'kerr-kerr' calls.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:15

Rec. Brendan Sloan · GuatemalaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adults possess bright yellow irises that contrast sharply with their black facial plumage.
They practice cooperative breeding, with several group members helping a single pair raise their brood.
The distinctive 'bushy' crest is formed by stiff, upright feathers on the forehead and crown.
They are highly social birds, usually foraging in restless family groups of up to 15 individuals.
Their diet is opportunistic and omnivorous, consisting of arthropods, small vertebrates, fruits, and seeds.

Habitat

Humid montane forests, pine-oak woodlands, and shaded coffee plantations.

Range

Highlands of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Azure JayCyanocorax caeruleus Azure-naped JayCyanocorax heilprini Black-chested JayCyanocorax affinis Black-throated Magpie-JayCyanocorax colliei Brown JayCyanocorax morio Cayenne JayCyanocorax cayanus Curl-crested JayCyanocorax cristatellus Green JayCyanocorax yncas

Heard a Bushy-crested Jay?

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