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

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

A large, stocky finch featuring a massive conical bill and striking yellow, black, and white plumage, known for its unpredictable winter irruptions.

What it sounds like

Loud, ringing 'cleer' or 'peer' notes similar to a House Sparrow's chirp but much more piercing.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:11

Rec. Valerie Heemstra · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Their powerful bills can exert enough pressure to crush hard cherry pits that most other birds ignore.
The name 'vespertina' (of the evening) was a misnomer based on early accounts that the bird only sang at twilight.
They are significant biological control agents, consuming vast quantities of spruce budworm larvae during outbreaks.
Evening Grosbeaks are highly social and are rarely seen alone, typically traveling in noisy, cohesive flocks.
They are frequently attracted to roadsides to consume salt and grit, which helps them digest seeds.

Habitat

Mature coniferous and mixed forests; also common at backyard feeders during winter months.

Range

Breeds across southern Canada and the western U.S. mountains; winters irruptively throughout the lower 48 states.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Hooded GrosbeakHesperiphona abeillei

Heard a Evening Grosbeak?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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