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

Green-winged Pytilia

Pytilia melba

A small, colorful estrildid finch of African savannas, easily identified by the male's vibrant crimson face and olive-green wings.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched 'wick' or 'tsee-tsee' contact call and a soft, melodic song consisting of short, whistled phrases.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. isaac kilusu · KenyaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, as only the males possess the striking red facial mask and throat.
Serves as the primary host species for the brood-parasitic Long-tailed Paradise Whydah.
Unlike many finches, it incorporates a significant amount of insects, particularly termites, into its seed-based diet.
The species is largely sedentary, though it may perform local movements in response to water availability.
Constructs a messy, domed nest of grass with a side entrance, often situated deep within thorny acacia trees for protection.

Habitat

Dry acacia woodlands, thorn-scrub savannas, and semi-arid thickets.

Range

Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Somalia and south to South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Orange-winged PytiliaPytilia afra Red-billed PytiliaPytilia lineata Red-faced PytiliaPytilia hypogrammica Red-faced PytiliaPytilia hypogrammica Red-winged PytiliaPytilia phoenicoptera

Heard a Green-winged Pytilia?

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