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

Gila Woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialis

A medium-sized desert specialist known for its distinctive tan plumage and habit of excavating nests in large cacti.

What it sounds like

A loud, rolling 'churr' call and sharp, high-pitched 'yip' or 'pit' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:06

Rec. Pat Goltz · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They are primary excavators of nesting holes in saguaro cacti, creating 'cactus boots' that provide critical housing for other desert species.
After carving a hole in a live cactus, the bird must wait several months for the internal pulp to dry and harden into a protective shell before nesting.
While primarily insectivorous, they are opportunistic foragers that consume cactus fruit, nectar, and occasionally small lizards or bird eggs.
Males are identified by a small red patch on the crown, whereas females have a plain tan head without the red marking.
They are highly territorial and vocal, often seen aggressively defending their nests or backyard feeders from much larger birds.

Habitat

Arid desert scrub, particularly Sonoran Desert landscapes with saguaro cacti, and riparian woodlands.

Range

Southwestern United States (Arizona, southeastern California, New Mexico) and western Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorus Beautiful WoodpeckerMelanerpes pulcher Black-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes pucherani Golden-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysogenys Golden-fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes aurifrons Golden-naped WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysauchen Gray-breasted WoodpeckerMelanerpes hypopolius Guadeloupe WoodpeckerMelanerpes herminieri

Heard a Gila Woodpecker?

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