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

Ethiopian Siskin

Serinus nigriceps

A small, high-altitude finch endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands, distinguished by the male's striking black head and olive-yellow plumage.

What it sounds like

A rapid, high-pitched twittering song composed of liquid trills and thin 'tsip-tsip' contact calls.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Andrew Spencer · EthiopiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a montane specialist, predominantly found at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to over 4,000 meters above sea level.
The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with males featuring a solid black hood and bib that females lack.
Outside of the breeding season, they are highly social and are frequently seen in cohesive flocks of up to 50 birds.
Their diet is specialized toward the seeds of Afro-alpine flora, including Hagenia abyssinica and various highland grasses.
Despite its restricted range, it is locally common and is currently classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN.

Habitat

Afro-alpine moorlands, heathlands, and high-elevation grasslands.

Range

Endemic to the central and northern highlands of Ethiopia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-headed CanarySerinus alario Cape CanarySerinus canicollis European SerinSerinus serinus Fire-fronted SerinSerinus pusillus Island CanarySerinus canaria Syrian SerinSerinus syriacus Yellow-crowned CanarySerinus flavivertex Yellow-crowned CanarySerinus flavivertex

Heard a Ethiopian Siskin?

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