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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustes

The Hawfinch is Europe's largest finch, distinguished by its exceptionally thick, powerful bill and secretive behavior in woodland canopies.

What it sounds like

A sharp, explosive, and metallic 'pix' or 'ptick' call; the song is a quiet, hesitant series of whistling notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ding Li Yong · MongoliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Its massive bill can exert a crushing force of approximately 45 kilograms, allowing it to crack open hard cherry and olive stones.
The bill undergoes a seasonal color change, turning from horn-brown in winter to a metallic lead-blue during the breeding season.
The inner primary feathers feature a unique, square-cut or notched shape that appears hooked or saw-toothed.
Despite their robust size, they are notoriously difficult to observe as they spend most of their time foraging in the highest branches of the canopy.
The white tip on its short tail and a broad white wing bar are key diagnostic features visible during its undulating flight.

Habitat

Mature deciduous and mixed woodlands, especially those with hornbeam, beech, and old fruit orchards.

Range

Temperate Europe and across Asia to Japan, with some populations migrating to North Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Evening GrosbeakCoccothraustes vespertinus

Heard a Hawfinch?

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