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

Hooded Oriole

Icterus cucullatus

A slender, long-tailed songbird of the Southwest, distinguished by the male's vibrant yellow-to-orange body and contrasting black throat patch.

What it sounds like

A series of rapid, wheezy whistles and dry, chattering rattles; the alarm call is a sharp, metallic 'veek'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 4:28

Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Commonly nicknamed the 'palm oriole' due to its specialized preference for nesting in various palm species.
Nests are intricate, pendulous baskets often sewn directly into the underside of palm fronds using plant fibers.
Male plumage varies geographically, with western populations appearing deep orange while eastern birds are bright yellow.
They possess a thin, slightly decurved bill adapted for sipping nectar from tubular flowers and hummingbird feeders.
They are frequent hosts for brood parasitism by Bronzed Cowbirds, which lay eggs in the oriole's nest.

Habitat

Open woodlands, riparian areas, and suburban landscapes, especially those featuring fan palms or yuccas.

Range

Southwestern United States from California to Texas, ranging south through Mexico to Belize.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Altamira OrioleIcterus gularis Audubon's OrioleIcterus graduacauda Bahama OrioleIcterus northropi Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbula Bar-winged OrioleIcterus maculialatus Black-backed OrioleIcterus abeillei Black-cowled OrioleIcterus prosthemelas Black-vented OrioleIcterus wagleri

Heard a Hooded Oriole?

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