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

Five-striped Sparrow

Amphispizopsis quinquestriata

A large, elusive sparrow of the desert southwest and Mexico, recognized by its bold black-and-white facial stripes and a dark central breast spot.

What it sounds like

A varied series of sharp, metallic, and somewhat mechanical notes and trills, often transcribed as 'fit-zit-zay-zay-zay'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Barry Edmonston · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the genus Amphispizopsis, having been reclassified from the genera Aimophila and Amphispiza.
The common name refers to its five white facial markings: two superciliary lines, two malar stripes, and a white chin stripe.
In the United States, its breeding range is extremely limited, restricted to a few rugged, brushy canyons in southern Arizona.
Despite its bold patterns, it is a secretive species that spends much of its time foraging deep within dense, thorny vegetation.
Males are most visible during the monsoon season when they sing from prominent perches to defend territories.

Habitat

Steep, rocky hillsides with dense thorn-scrub, hackberry, and tall grasses.

Range

Western Mexico from Jalisco north to the Pajarito and Santa Rita Mountains of extreme southern Arizona.

Heard a Five-striped Sparrow?

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