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-capped Laughingthrush

Pterorhinus mitratus

A highly social and vocal songbird characterized by its rich chestnut crown and prominent white ear patches, common in the montane forests of Southeast Asia.

What it sounds like

Loud, liquid, and melodic whistles consisting of three to four notes, often sounding like 'phew-phew-phew' interspersed with bubbling chuckles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

They are exceptionally gregarious, often found in noisy groups of up to 12 individuals foraging through dense undergrowth.
The species is known for complex, synchronized duetting where pairs or groups overlap their songs to create a seamless wall of sound.
While primarily insectivorous, they are opportunistic feeders that also consume small fruits, berries, and occasionally seeds.
Formerly classified in the genus Garrulax, recent phylogenetic studies moved this species into the genus Pterorhinus.
They are non-migratory residents, rarely descending from their high-altitude haunts except during extreme weather conditions.

Habitat

Montane broadleaf evergreen forests, thickets, and forest edges, generally occurring at elevations between 900 and 2,500 meters.

Range

The Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush?

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