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

Eurasian Blackcap

Sylvia atricapilla

A medium-sized typical warbler known for its distinctive plumage dimorphism and exceptionally rich, flute-like melodic song.

What it sounds like

A rich, musical warble that often ends in loud, clear, flute-like notes; the alarm call is a hard, repetitive 'tacc-tacc'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Frank Holzapfel · GermanyCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males feature a striking black crown, whereas females and juveniles possess a distinctive reddish-brown cap.
It is often nicknamed the 'Northern Nightingale' due to its high-quality, complex, and liquid warbling song.
In recent decades, Central European populations have evolved a new migration route to winter in the UK rather than the Mediterranean.
The species is highly adaptable, shifting its diet from insects during the breeding season to berries and fruit in winter.
Blackcaps are frequently used in scientific studies regarding the genetics and orientation of avian migration.

Habitat

Deciduous and mixed woodlands with dense undergrowth, mature gardens, and parks.

Range

Breeds across Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; winters in Southern Europe, Africa, and the British Isles.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian CatbirdSylvia galinieri African Hill BabblerSylvia abyssinica Bush BlackcapSylvia nigricapillus Dohrn's Thrush-BabblerSylvia dohrni Garden WarblerSylvia borin Rwenzori Hill BabblerSylvia atriceps

Heard a Eurasian Blackcap?

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Identify a bird by its song