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

Marsh Wren

Cistothorus palustris

A small, secretive songbird of dense wetlands known for its complex vocalizations and highly territorial behavior.

What it sounds like

A rapid, mechanical series of liquid gurgles, rattles, and buzzy trills that sounds like a sewing machine.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:03

Rec. Denis Dujardin · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males typically build up to 20 'dummy' nests per season to defend territory and attract mates.
They are notoriously aggressive and will puncture the eggs of other birds, including Red-winged Blackbirds, to reduce competition.
A single male may have a repertoire of over 50 different song types used to communicate with rivals and partners.
Populations are divided into eastern and western groups that exhibit distinct differences in song structure and plumage.
They often forage for insects by clinging to two separate stalks of vegetation simultaneously in a 'split' position.

Habitat

Freshwater and brackish marshes dominated by cattails, bulrushes, or cordgrass.

Range

Breeds across southern Canada and the United States; winters in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Apolinar's WrenCistothorus apolinari Grass WrenCistothorus platensis Merida WrenCistothorus meridae Sedge WrenCistothorus stellaris

Heard a Marsh Wren?

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