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

Indigo Bunting

Passerina cyanea

A small, vibrant songbird of the cardinal family, the Indigo Bunting is known for the male's brilliant cerulean plumage and its habit of singing from prominent perches.

What it sounds like

A lively, high-pitched series of warbling notes, often delivered in rhythmic couplets such as 'sweet-sweet, chew-chew, sweet-sweet'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:14

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

Field notes

The male's blue color is structural rather than pigmented, caused by microscopic feather structures that refract light (Tyndall scattering).
They are nocturnal migrants that navigate using the stars, specifically orienting themselves relative to the North Star.
Males exhibit 'match-singing,' where they learn and replicate the unique song variations of neighboring males to define territorial boundaries.
During the breeding season, they transition from a seed-based diet to one primarily composed of insects to provide high protein for nestlings.
Indigo Buntings are frequent victims of Brown-headed Cowbird brood parasitism, often raising cowbird chicks at the expense of their own.

Habitat

Brushy pastures, weedy fields, and shrubby edges of deciduous forests.

Range

Breeds throughout eastern and central North America; winters in Central America and the Caribbean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue GrosbeakPasserina caerulea Lazuli BuntingPasserina amoena Orange-breasted BuntingPasserina leclancherii Painted BuntingPasserina ciris Rose-bellied BuntingPasserina rositae Varied BuntingPasserina versicolor

Heard a Indigo Bunting?

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