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 Thrush

Geokichla dohertyi

A striking and elusive ground-dwelling thrush endemic to the Lesser Sundas, recognized by its rich chestnut mantle and bold black-and-white facial markings.

What it sounds like

A complex series of clear, thin whistles interspersed with liquid warbles and occasional harsher notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is endemic to a limited range within the Lesser Sunda Islands, including Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, and Timor.
The species is currently classified as Near Threatened, largely due to habitat loss and the illegal cage-bird trade.
It features a unique plumage pattern where the chestnut back contrasts with a heavily scalloped black-and-white breast.
Primarily a terrestrial forager, it spends much of its time tossing leaf litter to find insects and small invertebrates.
Unlike many other thrushes, it is notoriously shy and remains difficult to observe even in areas where it is relatively common.

Habitat

Subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, typically between 400 and 2,300 meters.

Range

Lesser Sunda Islands (Indonesia and Timor-Leste).

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian Ground-ThrushGeokichla piaggiae Ashy ThrushGeokichla cinerea Black-eared Ground-ThrushGeokichla camaronensis Buru ThrushGeokichla dumasi Chestnut-capped ThrushGeokichla interpres Crossley's Ground-ThrushGeokichla crossleyi Enggano ThrushGeokichla leucolaema Gray Ground-ThrushGeokichla princei

Heard a Chestnut-backed Thrush?

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