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 Magpie

Pica pica

A highly intelligent, striking corvid characterized by its long tail and contrasting black-and-white plumage with iridescent highlights.

What it sounds like

A loud, harsh, and rhythmic rattling or chattering 'chak-chak-chak-chak'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:24

Rec. Ding Li Yong · MongoliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the few non-mammalian species to pass the mirror self-recognition test, indicating advanced self-awareness.
The black feathers on its wings and tail exhibit a brilliant metallic green, blue, and purple iridescence in direct light.
Nests are complex, domed structures made of sticks, often featuring a roof and two entrances for predator evasion.
Magpies are opportunistic omnivores with a diverse diet including insects, grain, carrion, and small vertebrates.
While often viewed as an omen of bad luck in European folklore, it is considered a symbol of good fortune in East Asian cultures.

Habitat

Open countryside with scattered trees, urban parks, gardens, and woodland edges.

Range

Widespread across temperate Europe and Asia, from the British Isles to the Russian Far East.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Asir MagpiePica asirensis Black-billed MagpiePica hudsonia Black-rumped MagpiePica bottanensis Maghreb MagpiePica mauritanica Oriental MagpiePica serica Yellow-billed MagpiePica nuttalli

Heard a Eurasian Magpie?

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