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

Chihuahuan Meadowlark

Sturnella lilianae

A pale, desert-dwelling icterid recently recognized as a distinct species, characterized by its bright yellow underparts and a bold black breast-crescent.

What it sounds like

A thin, descending series of clear, slurred whistles, typically simpler and more plaintive than the complex melodies of the Western Meadowlark.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formally elevated to full species status by the American Ornithological Society in 2022 after being considered a subspecies of the Eastern Meadowlark.
Exhibits significantly more white in the outer rectrices (tail feathers) than the closely related Eastern Meadowlark.
Possesses specialized, pale plumage adapted for camouflage in arid, sun-bleached desert grasslands.
Genetic analysis indicates a long period of evolutionary isolation from Eastern populations, likely dating back to the Pleistocene.
Males are highly territorial, utilizing fence posts and tall yuccas as prominent song perches to defend their range.

Habitat

High-elevation semi-arid grasslands, desert scrub, and alkali flats.

Range

Northern Mexico and the Southwestern United States, primarily Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta

Heard a Chihuahuan Meadowlark?

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