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 Verde Sparrow

Passer iagoensis

A small, rufous-tinged passerine endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago, representing a classic example of island evolution within the genus Passer.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, metallic 'cheeps' and 'chirrups' that are thinner and faster than those of the House Sparrow.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:28

Rec. Markus Jacobs · Cape VerdeCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species was first collected by Charles Darwin during the inaugural stop of the HMS Beagle in 1832.
Males are distinguished by a bold rufous supercilium and chestnut mantle, appearing more colorful than the House Sparrow.
It is found on nearly every island in the Cape Verde archipelago, with the notable exception of Fogo.
The birds are highly opportunistic, nesting in cliff crevices, lava flows, and even the thatched roofs of local dwellings.
Molecular data suggests its closest relative is the Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) rather than the House Sparrow.

Habitat

Arid plains, rocky gorges, lava fields, and increasingly common in urban gardens.

Range

Endemic to the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abd al Kuri SparrowPasser hemileucus Arabian Golden SparrowPasser euchlorus Cape SparrowPasser melanurus Chestnut SparrowPasser eminibey Dead Sea SparrowPasser moabiticus Desert SparrowPasser simplex Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanus Great Rufous SparrowPasser motitensis

Heard a Cape Verde Sparrow?

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