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

Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush

Pterorhinus nuchalis

A vocal, medium-sized songbird known for its striking chestnut nape and bold black-and-white facial patterns. It is a social species that dwells primarily in the dense understory of the eastern Himalayan foothills.

What it sounds like

Loud, rich, and melodious whistling phrases often interspersed with rhythmic, cackling notes that sound like human laughter.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. JYOTIRMAY BAISHYA · IndiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It belongs to a group of laughingthrushes recently reclassified from the genus Garrulax to Pterorhinus based on molecular studies.
The species is highly social, typically moving in small, active parties of six to twelve individuals through the forest mid-story.
It is currently listed as Near Threatened, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation within its restricted range.
Foraging behavior involves vigorously tossing leaf litter aside with its bill to uncover insects and small invertebrates.
Pairs often engage in synchronized duetting, which serves to reinforce pair bonds and defend communal territories in thick vegetation.

Habitat

Dense undergrowth of moist evergreen forests, bamboo thickets, and secondary scrub at lower elevations.

Range

Northeast India (Assam and Arunachal Pradesh) and northern Myanmar.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-throated LaughingthrushPterorhinus chinensis Blue-crowned LaughingthrushPterorhinus courtoisi Buffy LaughingthrushPterorhinus berthemyi Chestnut-capped LaughingthrushPterorhinus mitratus Chestnut-hooded LaughingthrushPterorhinus treacheri Chinese BabaxPterorhinus lanceolatus Giant BabaxPterorhinus waddelli Gray-sided LaughingthrushPterorhinus caerulatus

Heard a Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush?

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