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

Golden-cheeked Woodpecker

Melanerpes chrysogenys

A medium-sized, strikingly patterned woodpecker endemic to the Pacific slope of Mexico, distinguished by its vibrant golden-yellow face patches.

What it sounds like

A loud, rolling 'churrr' or rattle, often accompanied by sharp, rhythmic 'wick-a' calls reminiscent of flickers.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Étienne Leroy · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adults feature a distinctive golden-yellow wash on the auriculars and nape, contrasting with a finely barred black-and-white back.
The species exhibits sexual dimorphism: males possess a small red patch on the crown which is entirely black in females.
It is a generalist feeder that consumes insects and fruit, and has been documented visiting flowers to feed on nectar.
Nesting occurs in cavities excavated in dead trees, palm trunks, or occasionally in large columnar cacti.
They are often observed in pairs or small family groups and are notably bolder around human settlements than other sympatric woodpeckers.

Habitat

Tropical deciduous forests, thorn scrub, plantations, and suburban gardens with large trees.

Range

Endemic to western Mexico, ranging from southern Sinaloa to eastern Oaxaca.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Golden-cheeked 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