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

California Quail

Callipepla californica

A plump, ground-dwelling game bird recognized by its comma-shaped head plume and intricate scaling on the underparts. It is the official state bird of California and highly social in nature.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, three-syllable assembly call frequently mnemonically described as 'chi-ca-go'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 2:49

Rec. Greg Irving · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The iconic head plume, or topknot, is actually composed of six overlapping feathers rather than a single plume.
During the winter, these birds form large social groups called coveys that can exceed 200 individuals.
They are frequent dust-bathers, utilizing loose soil to maintain feather health and discourage parasites.
Though capable of short, explosive flight, they prefer to escape predators by running, reaching speeds of up to 12 mph.
They often practice communal brood-rearing, where multiple adults assist in guarding and raising a group of chicks.

Habitat

Chaparral, sagebrush, oak woodlands, and brushy suburban gardens, typically near water.

Range

Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California, with introduced populations in Hawaii and New Zealand.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Elegant QuailCallipepla douglasii Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambelii Scaled QuailCallipepla squamata

Heard a California Quail?

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