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

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

A slim, agile Old World flycatcher characterized by its vibrant orange-red tail and the male's striking contrast of a black face and white forehead. It is a migratory insectivore known for the constant, rhythmic quivering of its tail feathers.

What it sounds like

A liquid, rising 'huit' whistle followed by a short, melodic warble that often ends in a scratchy rattle.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 3:26

Rec. Dante Shepherd · United KingdomCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The name 'redstart' originates from the Old English 'steort', which means 'tail'.
Males exhibit a distinctive white forehead patch that serves as a high-contrast signal in dim woodland light.
It is a long-distance migrant, traveling from European breeding grounds to spend the winter in sub-Saharan Africa.
The species is a secondary cavity nester, frequently utilizing old woodpecker holes or garden nest boxes.
During the breeding season, males are known for their early morning 'dawn chorus' song, often starting before most other songbirds.

Habitat

Mature deciduous woodlands, open parklands, and old-growth forests with ample nesting cavities.

Range

Breeds across Europe and Western Asia; winters in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ala Shan RedstartPhoenicurus alaschanicus Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros Blue-capped RedstartPhoenicurus coeruleocephala Blue-fronted RedstartPhoenicurus frontalis Daurian RedstartPhoenicurus auroreus Hodgson's RedstartPhoenicurus hodgsoni Luzon RedstartPhoenicurus bicolor Moussier's RedstartPhoenicurus moussieri

Heard a Common Redstart?

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