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

Long-tailed Mockingbird

Mimus longicaudatus

A large, conspicuous mimid of western South America characterized by its strikingly long, graduated tail and bold white wing markings.

What it sounds like

A varied and rhythmic series of rich musical whistles, clear trills, and occasional harsh, scolding 'shack' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Cristopher Rodríguez-Moreira · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses an exceptionally long tail that it frequently cocks, fanns, or waves during social interactions and territorial displays.
A highly terrestrial forager, this species is often seen running swiftly across open ground to hunt for insects and small lizards.
It is a versatile songster capable of complex mimicry, incorporating the calls of other bird species into its own melodic repertoire.
The species is well-adapted to human presence, commonly inhabiting urban parks, gardens, and agricultural fringes.
There are four recognized subspecies that vary slightly in plumage tone and size across its range from Ecuador to Peru.

Habitat

Arid scrublands, dry deciduous forests, desert thickets, and urban gardens.

Range

Coastal lowlands and foothills of western Ecuador and western Peru.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bahama MockingbirdMimus gundlachii Brown-backed MockingbirdMimus dorsalis Chalk-browed MockingbirdMimus saturninus Chilean MockingbirdMimus thenca Española MockingbirdMimus macdonaldi Floreana MockingbirdMimus trifasciatus Galapagos MockingbirdMimus parvulus Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos

Heard a Long-tailed Mockingbird?

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Identify a bird by its song