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-headed Dove

Leptotila plumbeiceps

The Gray-headed Dove is a secretive, medium-sized pigeon of Central American forest understories, identified by its namesake grey crown and warm brown upperparts.

What it sounds like

A low, hollow, two-parted 'hooo-wooo' with the second note slightly rising and then trailing off.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:39

Rec. Joost van Bruggen · ColombiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is primarily terrestrial, spending most of its time foraging for seeds and small fruits in leaf litter.
When taking flight, its wings often produce a distinct whistling or vibrating sound.
The species was previously taxonomically grouped with the Grenada Dove but is now recognized as distinct.
It constructs a relatively flimsy platform nest made of twigs, typically placed in low-level vegetation or vines.
Underneath its wings, it features bright rufous or cinnamon-colored primaries visible during flight.

Habitat

Humid lowland and montane forests, dense secondary growth, and coffee plantations.

Range

Eastern Mexico through Central America to western Panama.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Caribbean DoveLeptotila jamaicensis Gray-chested DoveLeptotila cassinii Gray-fronted DoveLeptotila rufaxilla Grenada DoveLeptotila wellsi Large-tailed DoveLeptotila megalura Ochre-bellied DoveLeptotila ochraceiventris Pallid DoveLeptotila pallida Tolima DoveLeptotila conoveri

Heard a Gray-headed Dove?

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