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

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

A large, vocal flycatcher of the eastern forests, easily identified by its sulfur-yellow belly, cinnamon-colored tail, and prominent bushy crest.

What it sounds like

A loud, rising, and emphatic 'wheep!' alongside a raspy, rolling 'prrr-reet' or 'whit-whit-whit'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:41

Rec. Bobby Wilcox · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is famous for frequently weaving shed snakeskins—or more recently, strips of clear plastic—into its nest lining.
Unlike most flycatchers that build cup nests on branches, this species is a secondary cavity nester that uses old woodpecker holes.
While primarily insectivorous, it has a more varied diet than many other flycatchers, frequently consuming small fruits and berries.
It is the only member of the genus Myiarchus that breeds regularly throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada.
Pairs are highly territorial and will aggressively chase away intruders, including much larger birds, from their nesting sites.

Habitat

Deciduous forests, open woodlands, forest edges, orchards, and mature suburban parks.

Range

Breeds across eastern and central North America; winters in southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Apical FlycatcherMyiarchus apicalis Ash-throated FlycatcherMyiarchus cinerascens Brown-crested FlycatcherMyiarchus tyrannulus Dusky-capped FlycatcherMyiarchus tuberculifer Galapagos FlycatcherMyiarchus magnirostris Grenada FlycatcherMyiarchus nugator La Sagra's FlycatcherMyiarchus sagrae Lesser Antillean FlycatcherMyiarchus oberi

Heard a Great Crested Flycatcher?

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