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-crowned Goldfinch

Carduelis caniceps

A distinct Central Asian finch characterized by its uniform gray head and mantle, differing from the European Goldfinch by its lack of black and white crown markings.

What it sounds like

A series of fluid, tinkling 'tswit-witt-witt' notes and a melodic, twittering song.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It lacks the black-and-white head pattern of the European Goldfinch, exhibiting a solid gray crown, nape, and mantle.
The species retains the iconic bright red face mask and brilliant yellow wing patches typical of the genus Carduelis.
It is a high-altitude specialist, with some populations breeding in the Himalayas at elevations reaching 4,000 meters.
During the winter, individuals are highly social and form large, nomadic flocks to forage across open landscapes.
Its specialized bill is perfectly adapted for extracting seeds from thistles and other composite plants.

Habitat

Open montane woodlands, agricultural gardens, and subalpine scrub.

Range

Central Asia, extending from eastern Iran through Afghanistan to the western Himalayas and Tibet.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Citril FinchCarduelis citrinella Corsican FinchCarduelis corsicana European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis

Heard a Gray-crowned Goldfinch?

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