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

Chinese Bush Warbler

Locustella tacsanowskia

The Chinese Bush Warbler is a small, reclusive passerine known for its drab plumage and secretive behavior in dense undergrowth. It belongs to the locustellid family, characterized by its mouse-like movements through thick vegetation.

What it sounds like

A repetitive, insect-like buzzing or dry mechanical clicking, often transcribed as 'ze-ze-ze-ze-ze'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · ChinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically classified in the genus Bradypterus but was moved to Locustella based on molecular phylogenetic evidence.
The species is highly elusive, preferring to run through tall grass and scrub rather than taking flight when disturbed.
Unlike many of its congeners, its upperparts are mostly unstreaked, presenting a uniform olive-brown appearance.
It is a long-distance migrant, breeding in high-altitude meadows and wintering in the lowlands of Southeast Asia.
It is often confused with the Russet Bush Warbler, but can be distinguished by its shorter tail and distinct mechanical song.

Habitat

High-altitude alpine meadows, dense bamboo thickets, and tall grassy scrublands.

Range

Breeds in central and southern China and southern Siberia; winters in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Baikal Bush WarblerLocustella davidi Bamboo WarblerLocustella alfredi Benguet Bush WarblerLocustella seebohmi Brown Bush WarblerLocustella luteoventris Buru Bush WarblerLocustella disturbans Common Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naevia Dalat Bush WarblerLocustella idonea Friendly Bush WarblerLocustella accentor

Heard a Chinese Bush Warbler?

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Identify a bird by its song