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

Goldcrest

Regulus regulus

Europe's smallest bird, the Goldcrest is a tiny, hyperactive insectivore characterized by its olive-green plumage and a brilliant, black-bordered crown stripe.

What it sounds like

Extremely high-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee-tsee' calls and a rhythmic, sibilant song ending in a short flourish.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Lars Edenius · SwedenCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest bird species in the Palearctic, typically weighing between 4.5 and 7 grams.
The male's crown stripe features a bright orange center, while the female's is entirely yellow.
To maintain its high metabolic rate, a Goldcrest must eat almost continuously and can lose one-third of its body weight in a single winter night.
Its nest is a sophisticated, three-layered hanging cup made of moss and lichen, held together with spider silk for elasticity.
Despite their size, some populations are migratory, crossing the North Sea between Scandinavia and the United Kingdom.

Habitat

Predominantly coniferous and mixed woodlands, though also found in gardens and parks with evergreen trees.

Range

Widespread across the Palearctic, ranging from Macaronesia and Europe across to Japan.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common FirecrestRegulus ignicapilla FlamecrestRegulus goodfellowi Golden-crowned KingletRegulus satrapa Madeira FirecrestRegulus madeirensis

Heard a Goldcrest?

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