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

Canyon Wren

Catherpes mexicanus

A small, rufous-colored songbird of the American West, the Canyon Wren is renowned for its haunting cascading song and remarkable agility on steep rock faces.

What it sounds like

A beautiful, liquid series of clear whistles that cascade down the musical scale, typically slowing in tempo toward the end.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Scott Olmstead · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a specialized flattened skull and unique vertebrae that allow it to squeeze into extremely narrow rock crevices.
The bird rarely drinks standing water, instead obtaining nearly all its necessary hydration from its diet of insects and spiders.
Its long, decurved bill is specifically evolved for plucking prey from deep, narrow fissures in canyon walls.
They have disproportionately large, strong feet and long claws designed for gripping vertical stone and navigating sheer cliffs.
Nests are often built on sheltered cliff ledges or in caves, featuring a sturdy twig foundation lined with soft moss, fur, and spiderwebs.

Habitat

Arid, rocky environments including steep-walled canyons, cliffs, boulder fields, and occasionally stone buildings.

Range

Western North America, ranging from southern British Columbia through the western United States to southern Mexico.

Heard a Canyon 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