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

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

The Eastern Meadowlark is a medium-sized grassland bird recognized by its bright yellow underparts and a bold black 'V' across its chest. It is a member of the blackbird family and is prized for its clear, melodic whistling song.

What it sounds like

A series of 2–8 pure, slurred, flute-like whistles that typically descend in pitch, often described as 'spring-of-the-year'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Manuel Grosselet · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its name and appearance, it belongs to the family Icteridae (blackbirds and orioles) rather than the true lark family Alaudidae.
Females construct elaborate domed nests on the ground, often weaving a grass roof and creating a side entrance with a concealed 'runway'.
Though visually nearly identical to the Western Meadowlark, the two species rarely interbreed and are most easily distinguished by their distinct songs.
Eastern Meadowlark populations have declined by over 75% since 1970 due to habitat loss and changes in agricultural mowing schedules.
During the breeding season, they are highly territorial, with males using fence posts and tall stalks as singing perches to defend their range.

Habitat

Native grasslands, prairies, pastures, hayfields, and grassy airfields.

Range

Eastern North America, from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States to Central America and northern South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chihuahuan MeadowlarkSturnella lilianae Western MeadowlarkSturnella neglecta

Heard a Eastern Meadowlark?

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