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

Cape Canary

Serinus canicollis

A small, vibrant finch endemic to southern Africa, recognized by its bright yellow underparts and distinctive grey crown and nape.

What it sounds like

A sustained, melodious series of liquid warbles, trills, and whistles, delivered from a high perch.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Frank Lambert · South AfricaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adults possess a characteristic silvery-grey patch on the back of the neck that distinguishes them from similar yellow finches.
They are highly social birds, often forming massive flocks of several hundred individuals during the non-breeding season.
Their diet is predominantly granivorous, focusing on small seeds, but they also opportunistically consume fruit and insects.
The species exhibits altitudinal migration, moving to lower elevations during the colder winter months.
Nests are sturdy, deep cups constructed from grass and lichen, usually placed in the fork of a tree or bush.

Habitat

Fynbos, montane grasslands, forest edges, and well-wooded suburban gardens.

Range

Southern Africa, ranging from the Western Cape through to eastern Zimbabwe.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-headed CanarySerinus alario Ethiopian SiskinSerinus nigriceps European SerinSerinus serinus Fire-fronted SerinSerinus pusillus Island CanarySerinus canaria Syrian SerinSerinus syriacus Yellow-crowned CanarySerinus flavivertex Yellow-crowned CanarySerinus flavivertex

Heard a Cape Canary?

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