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

Dusky Crested Flycatcher

Elminia nigromitrata

A small, restless, slate-grey songbird of the African rainforest, distinguished by its prominent peaked crest and active foraging style.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee' followed by a rapid, descending series of tinkling whistles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:29

Rec. Étienne Leroy · GabonCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its name, it belongs to the Stenostiridae family (fairy-flycatchers), making it more closely related to tits and chickadees than to true flycatchers.
It is a highly active feeder that frequently fans its tail and droops its wings to flush out hidden insect prey.
The species is a frequent and core member of mixed-species foraging flocks within the forest understory.
Its nest is a delicate, compact cup made of moss, lichens, and spider silk, usually situated low in a shrub or vine.
It displays a distinctive dark facial mask that contrasts subtly with its uniform lead-grey plumage.

Habitat

Understory and mid-levels of primary and mature secondary lowland tropical evergreen forests.

Range

Central and West Africa, spanning from Guinea to western Kenya and south to northern Angola.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Blue FlycatcherElminia longicauda White-bellied Crested FlycatcherElminia albiventris White-tailed Blue FlycatcherElminia albicauda White-tailed Blue FlycatcherElminia albicauda White-tailed Crested FlycatcherElminia albonotata

Heard a Dusky Crested 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