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-breasted Woodpecker

Melanerpes hypopolius

The Gray-breasted Woodpecker is a medium-sized Melanerpes species endemic to the arid interior of southwestern Mexico.

What it sounds like

A series of raspy, chattering 'wicka' notes and sharp, nasal 'cheep' calls.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:07

Rec. Andrew Spencer · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a social species that is frequently observed foraging in pairs or small family groups.
Unlike many relatives, its plumage is notably monochromatic, lacking the bold yellow or orange belly tints seen in similar species.
Sexual dimorphism is minimal; males possess a small red crown patch that is reduced or absent in females.
It relies heavily on columnar cacti for both nesting sites and as a primary source of fruit and nectar.
The species is largely sedentary, remaining within its restricted range in the Balsas River drainage year-round.

Habitat

Arid scrubland, deciduous thorn forest, and landscapes dominated by columnar cacti.

Range

Endemic to southwestern Mexico, primarily in the states of Guerrero, Morelos, Puebla, and Oaxaca.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Gray-breasted 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