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 Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

A small, skulking New World warbler characterized by the male's striking black facial mask and bright yellow throat.

What it sounds like

A loud, rhythmic 'witchety-witchety-witchety' song and a sharp, dry 'chuck' call note.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Pat Goltz · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Commonly nicknamed the 'masked bandit' due to the distinctive black plumage across the male's eyes.
It is one of the most widely distributed warblers in North America, with approximately 13 recognized subspecies.
Unlike many canopy-dwelling warblers, it prefers to forage close to the ground or water in dense, low vegetation.
The species is a frequent host for the eggs of the brood-parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird.
During the breeding season, males perform 'flight displays' where they fly upward while singing to defend their territory.

Habitat

Marshes, wetlands, wet thickets, and dense shrubby areas near water.

Range

Breeds across North America from Canada to Mexico; winters in the southern U.S., Central America, and the Caribbean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Altamira YellowthroatGeothlypis flavovelata Bahama YellowthroatGeothlypis rostrata Belding's YellowthroatGeothlypis beldingi Black-lored YellowthroatGeothlypis auricularis Black-polled YellowthroatGeothlypis speciosa Gray-crowned YellowthroatGeothlypis poliocephala Hooded YellowthroatGeothlypis nelsoni Kentucky WarblerGeothlypis formosa

Heard a Common Yellowthroat?

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