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 Gray Shrike

Lanius sphenocercus

The Chinese Gray Shrike is the largest member of the shrike family, recognized by its long wedge-shaped tail and bold predatory behavior. It acts as a small-scale raptor, often perching on high vantage points to survey open terrain for prey.

What it sounds like

A varied mix of harsh, grating metallic notes and occasional melodic mimicry of other bird species.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · Russian FederationCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest shrike species in the world, reaching a length of up to 31 centimeters.
Known as a 'butcherbird,' it frequently impales prey such as lizards and small rodents on thorns or barbed wire to store as a larder.
Unlike many other shrikes, it has a distinctly graduated tail where the central feathers are significantly longer than the outer ones.
It is a highly territorial bird that will aggressively drive away much larger raptors from its nesting site.
In flight, it displays two prominent white patches on each wing and broad white outer tail feathers.

Habitat

Open country including steppes, semi-deserts, agricultural fields, and thickets with scattered trees.

Range

East Asia, primarily found in central and eastern China, Mongolia, the Korean Peninsula, and southeast Russia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bay-backed ShrikeLanius vittatus Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus Bull-headed ShrikeLanius bucephalus Burmese ShrikeLanius collurioides Emin's ShrikeLanius gubernator Giant ShrikeLanius giganteus Gray-backed FiscalLanius excubitoroides Gray-backed ShrikeLanius tephronotus

Heard a Chinese Gray Shrike?

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