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

Collared Flycatcher

Ficedula albicollis

A small, insectivorous passerine of the Old World flycatcher family, notable for the male's striking black-and-white plumage and distinctive white neck collar.

What it sounds like

A sharp, high-pitched 'whit' or 'it' call, and a song consisting of slow, strained, melancholic whistles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ulf Elman · SwedenCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males are distinguished from the similar European Pied Flycatcher by a complete white collar and a significantly larger white patch on the forehead.
It is a long-distance migrant that breeds in Central and Eastern Europe and winters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The species frequently hybridizes with the European Pied Flycatcher, though the resulting female hybrids are usually sterile (Haldane's Rule).
It is a secondary cavity nester, meaning it relies on pre-existing tree holes or artificial nest boxes for breeding.
The primary wing feathers (remiges) exhibit a large white patch at the base, which is more extensive than in related Ficedula species.

Habitat

Mature deciduous forests, particularly those with oak and hornbeam, as well as parks and orchards.

Range

Breeds across Central and Eastern Europe into Western Asia; winters in South-Central Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Atlas FlycatcherFicedula speculigera Black-and-orange FlycatcherFicedula nigrorufa Black-banded FlycatcherFicedula timorensis Bundok FlycatcherFicedula luzoniensis Cinnamon-chested FlycatcherFicedula buruensis Cryptic FlycatcherFicedula crypta Damar FlycatcherFicedula henrici European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleuca

Heard a Collared Flycatcher?

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