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

Gray-backed Shrike

Lanius tephronotus

The Gray-backed Shrike is a robust, predatory passerine of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia, recognized by its slate-gray upperparts and bold black facial mask.

What it sounds like

A series of harsh, grating 'schra-schra' notes combined with a complex song of musical whistles and mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Dave GUO · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It earns the nickname 'butcherbird' for its habit of impaling prey on thorns or barbed wire to create a food 'larder.'
It is distinguished from the similar Long-tailed Shrike by its uniform gray mantle and lack of rufous on the upper back.
During the breeding season, this species can be found at high altitudes reaching up to 4,500 meters in the Himalayas.
The species is a highly skilled mimic, often incorporating the calls of other bird species into its own complex song.
Two distinct subspecies are recognized: the nominate L. t. tephronotus and the slightly paler L. t. lahulensis.

Habitat

Montane scrub, alpine meadows, open forest edges, and high-altitude agricultural lands.

Range

The Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, western China, and northern parts of Southeast Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bay-backed ShrikeLanius vittatus Brown ShrikeLanius cristatus Bull-headed ShrikeLanius bucephalus Burmese ShrikeLanius collurioides Chinese Gray ShrikeLanius sphenocercus Emin's ShrikeLanius gubernator Giant ShrikeLanius giganteus Gray-backed FiscalLanius excubitoroides

Heard a Gray-backed Shrike?

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