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

House Finch

Haemorhous mexicanus

A social, adaptable finch common in North American suburbs, known for the male's vibrant reddish plumage and cheery, warbling song. It is a frequent visitor to backyard feeders and thrives in human-altered landscapes.

What it sounds like

A long, jumbled, high-pitched warbling song typically ending in a sharp, upward-slurred 'zeee' note.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:06

Rec. Pat Goltz · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Male plumage color is derived entirely from carotenoid pigments in their diet; females preferentially mate with the brightest red males.
Originally native to the western U.S. and Mexico, they were introduced to the East Coast in 1940 after being released by illegal pet traders in New York.
Unlike most finches, they are almost strictly vegetarian, feeding their young primarily on plant matter rather than insects.
The population in the eastern United States grew from just a few dozen individuals to millions in only a few decades.
They are highly susceptible to avian conjunctivitis, a bacterial eye infection often spread at crowded bird feeders.

Habitat

Urban areas, suburban backyards, farms, and forest edges.

Range

Widespread across the United States, southern Canada, and Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cassin's FinchHaemorhous cassinii Purple FinchHaemorhous purpureus

Heard a House Finch?

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