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

Fire-fronted Bishop

Euplectes diadematus

A small, nomadic weaver bird of East Africa where breeding males are distinguished by a brilliant red forehead patch and contrasting black and yellow plumage.

What it sounds like

A series of sharp, high-pitched 'tsip' notes followed by a dry, wheezy, sizzling song typical of bishops.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Frank Lambert · KenyaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is highly nomadic, undertaking irregular movements to exploit localized rainfall and the subsequent seeding of grasses.
Measuring roughly 10 centimeters in length, it is one of the smallest members of the bishop and widowbird genus Euplectes.
Breeding males perform a distinctive 'bumblebee' display flight, puffing out their plumage while hovering over the grass.
Outside the breeding season, the male undergoes a complete molt into a cryptic, streaky brown plumage that is nearly indistinguishable from the female.
Unlike many congregatory weavers, their breeding colonies are often small and scattered depending on the density of available tall grass.

Habitat

Semi-arid bushed grasslands, seasonal floodplains, and open savanna with tall grass.

Range

Endemic to East Africa, including parts of Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black BishopEuplectes gierowii Black-winged BishopEuplectes hordeaceus Buff-shouldered WidowbirdEuplectes psammacromius Fan-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes axillaris Golden-backed BishopEuplectes aureus Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Jackson's WidowbirdEuplectes jacksoni Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progne

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