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

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

A striking wood-warbler characterized by vibrant yellow underparts, heavy black streaking, and a distinctive white band across the center of the tail.

What it sounds like

A short, hurried series of soft whistles typically transcribed as 'weeta-weeta-weet-chew.'

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:05

Rec. Scott Olmstead · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The bird's common name is a misnomer; the type specimen was collected in a magnolia tree in Mississippi, but they rarely inhabit them.
It possesses a unique tail pattern where the white band stops short of the tip, making the tail look as if it were dipped in black ink.
During the breeding season, males develop a prominent black mask and a solid black 'saddle' across their upper back.
They frequently fan their tails while foraging in the understory, a behavior used to flush out insects from dense foliage.
Unlike many warblers that stay in the high canopy, this species prefers the lower to middle levels of young coniferous trees.

Habitat

Dense boreal forests, specifically young spruce and fir stands; thickets and woodland edges during migration.

Range

Breeds across the Canadian boreal forest and northeastern U.S.; winters in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Adelaide's WarblerSetophaga adelaidae American RedstartSetophaga ruticilla Arrowhead WarblerSetophaga pharetra Bahama WarblerSetophaga flavescens Barbuda WarblerSetophaga subita Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castanea Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescens Black-throated Gray WarblerSetophaga nigrescens

Heard a Magnolia Warbler?

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Identify a bird by its song