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

Giant Babax

Pterorhinus waddelli

The Giant Babax is a large, heavily streaked laughingthrush endemic to the high-altitude thickets of the Tibetan Plateau. It is distinguished by its robust size and prominent decurved bill.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, melodic, flute-like whistles, often rendered as a ringing 'ti-ti-twee' or 'whee-hu-whee'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:23

Rec. JJSUN · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest species within the babax group, reaching lengths of up to 31 centimeters.
The species possesses a strikingly pale whitish or yellowish iris that contrasts with its dark facial streaking.
It frequently forages on the ground, using its strong, slightly curved bill to dig through soil and leaf litter for invertebrates.
It is restricted to a narrow elevational band, typically occurring between 2,800 and 4,500 meters above sea level.
Taxonomically, it was moved from the genus Babax to Pterorhinus following comprehensive molecular phylogenetic revisions in 2018.

Habitat

High-altitude rhododendron scrub, juniper woodlands, and bushy ravines.

Range

Southeastern Tibet and adjacent regions of southwestern China.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-throated LaughingthrushPterorhinus chinensis Blue-crowned LaughingthrushPterorhinus courtoisi Buffy LaughingthrushPterorhinus berthemyi Chestnut-backed LaughingthrushPterorhinus nuchalis Chestnut-capped LaughingthrushPterorhinus mitratus Chestnut-hooded LaughingthrushPterorhinus treacheri Chinese BabaxPterorhinus lanceolatus Gray-sided LaughingthrushPterorhinus caerulatus

Heard a Giant Babax?

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