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

Elegant Quail

Callipepla douglasii

A visually striking ground-dwelling bird endemic to the Pacific slope of Mexico, recognized by its elongated crest and intricate white spotting.

What it sounds like

A series of harsh, nasal 'kow' notes or a rhythmic, raspy 'cu-ca-ca' call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Barry Edmonston · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses a distinctive long, straight crest that is bright orange-buff in males and brownish-gray in females.
The male's breast and underparts are marked with large, conspicuous circular white spots against a lead-gray background.
Primarily a terrestrial species that prefers running through dense thickets over flying when threatened by predators.
Forms social groups called coveys, usually containing 5 to 15 birds, during the non-breeding winter months.
Forages on the forest floor for a varied diet consisting mainly of seeds, small fruits, and seasonally available insects.

Habitat

Thorn forests, tropical deciduous forests, and dense arid scrublands.

Range

Endemic to western Mexico, ranging from southern Sonora and Chihuahua to Nayarit and Jalisco.

Similar & commonly confused birds

California QuailCallipepla californica Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambelii Scaled QuailCallipepla squamata

Heard a Elegant Quail?

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