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

Lesser Elaenia

Elaenia chiriquensis

A small, inconspicuous tyrant flycatcher characterized by its drab olive-grey plumage and a modest, often-raised crest.

What it sounds like

A dry, buzzy, and wheezy 'fee-ba' or 'pwee-er', often repeated during its rhythmic dawn song.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses a concealed white crown patch that is typically only visible when the bird is agitated or displaying.
Distinguishable from many similar Elaenia species by its lack of significant yellow tones on the belly.
Exhibits seasonal migration in the southern part of its range, moving north toward the Amazon basin during the austral winter.
Primarily insectivorous but incorporates a high proportion of small berries and fruits into its diet compared to other flycatchers.
Constructs a cup-shaped nest frequently placed in the fork of a small shrub, often well-hidden by foliage.

Habitat

Dry savannas, scrubby pastures, cerrado, and disturbed open woodland edges.

Range

Widespread from Costa Rica and Panama across much of South America to northern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue Mountain ElaeniaElaenia fallax Brownish ElaeniaElaenia pelzelni Caribbean ElaeniaElaenia martinica Coopmans's ElaeniaElaenia brachyptera Great ElaeniaElaenia dayi Highland ElaeniaElaenia obscura Hispaniolan ElaeniaElaenia cherriei Large ElaeniaElaenia spectabilis

Heard a Lesser Elaenia?

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