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

Cactus Wren

Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

The largest wren in North America, this bold desert dweller is easily identified by its heavy spotting, long tail, and prominent white eyebrow stripe.

What it sounds like

A harsh, rhythmic, and low-pitched series of 'chuh-chuh-chuh' notes, often compared to the sound of a car engine struggling to start.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:09

Rec. David Tattersley · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the official state bird of Arizona.
They construct bulky, football-shaped nests with side entrances, often nestled deep within the protective spines of cholla cacti.
Unlike many smaller birds, they obtain nearly all their necessary hydration from their diet of insects and fruit, rarely needing to drink standing water.
A single pair may build several 'decoy' or roosting nests throughout their territory to confuse predators and provide additional shelter.
Their behavior is notably bold and inquisitive, frequently foraging on the ground and flipping over stones or debris to find prey.

Habitat

Arid lowland deserts and scrublands dominated by saguaro, cholla, and prickly pear cacti.

Range

Southwestern United States and central Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Band-backed WrenCampylorhynchus zonatus Bicolored WrenCampylorhynchus griseus Boucard's WrenCampylorhynchus jocosus Fasciated WrenCampylorhynchus fasciatus Giant WrenCampylorhynchus chiapensis Gray-barred WrenCampylorhynchus megalopterus Rufous-backed WrenCampylorhynchus capistratus Russet-naped WrenCampylorhynchus humilis

Heard a Cactus Wren?

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