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

Malayan Crested Fireback

Lophura rufa

A striking, medium-sized forest pheasant characterized by its vibrant blue facial skin and the fiery reddish-orange patch on its lower back. It is a terrestrial bird of the Sundaic lowlands, displaying significant sexual dimorphism.

What it sounds like

A low, vibrating 'vvvv-vvvv' sound produced by rapid wing-whirring, accompanied by sharp 'chak' alarm notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males possess a distinctive brush-like crest and vivid blue facial wattles that can expand during courtship displays.
Unlike its Bornean relative, the Malayan species features white outer tail feathers and lacks the buff-colored central tail feathers.
The species is highly social, typically found foraging in small family groups or pairs on the forest floor.
Dietary habits are omnivorous, consisting of fallen fruits, seeds, and various small invertebrates like termites and ants.
Populations are currently listed as Vulnerable due to extensive habitat loss from logging and oil palm conversions in its native range.

Habitat

Primary and secondary lowland evergreen dipterocarp forests, often near riverine areas.

Range

Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bornean Crested FirebackLophura ignita Bornean Crestless FirebackLophura pyronota Bulwer's PheasantLophura bulweri Edwards's PheasantLophura edwardsi Kalij PheasantLophura leucomelanos Malayan Crestless FirebackLophura erythrophthalma Salvadori's PheasantLophura inornata Siamese FirebackLophura diardi

Heard a Malayan Crested Fireback?

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