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

Calliope Hummingbird

Selasphorus calliope

The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in North America, distinguished by the male's unique rays of magenta feathers on its throat.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched 'tsip' note and a buzzy, rising 'pseeu' during aerial displays.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:33

Rec. Bruce Lagerquist · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest long-distance avian migrant in the world, traveling up to 5,000 miles annually between Canada and Mexico.
Males possess long, lanceolate gorget feathers that can be flared into a striking starburst pattern during courtship displays.
Despite weighing less than a U.S. penny, it is highly territorial and will aggressively chase birds as large as Red-tailed Hawks.
The species is named after the Greek Muse Calliope, traditionally associated with epic poetry and eloquence.
During its U-shaped diving display, the male produces a sharp, mechanical 'zing' sound using specialized tail feathers.

Habitat

Montane meadows, subalpine clearings, willow thickets, and open coniferous forests.

Range

Breeds in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada; winters in Southwestern Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus Bumblebee HummingbirdSelasphorus heloisa Glow-throated HummingbirdSelasphorus ardens Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus Scintillant HummingbirdSelasphorus scintilla Volcano HummingbirdSelasphorus flammula Wine-throated HummingbirdSelasphorus ellioti

Heard a Calliope Hummingbird?

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