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

Elf Owl

Micrathene whitneyi

The Elf Owl is the world's smallest bird of prey, a diminutive nocturnal insectivore primarily associated with the arid landscapes of the American Southwest. It is distinguished by its sparrow-like size, lack of ear tufts, and bright yellow eyes.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, yapping or chuckling notes often compared to the sound of a puppy.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:11

Rec. David Tattersley · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Measuring only 5 to 6 inches long, it is officially the smallest owl species in the world.
It primarily nests in abandoned woodpecker holes located within Saguaro cacti or sycamore trees.
Unlike most raptors, its diet is almost exclusively insectivorous, focusing on beetles, moths, and scorpions.
The species is known to 'play dead' when handled, a defense mechanism called thanatosis.
It is a migratory owl, spending its breeding season in the U.S. before retreating to central Mexico for the winter.

Habitat

Arid thorn scrub, Saguaro cactus forests, and riparian woodlands.

Range

Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and Mexico.

Heard a Elf Owl?

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