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

Nelson's Sparrow

Ammospiza nelsoni

A small, secretive marsh sparrow characterized by its bright ochre-orange face and sharp-pointed tail feathers.

What it sounds like

A dry, wheezy, gasping hiss resembling the sound of a drop of water hitting a hot frying pan.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:40

Rec. Matt Wistrand · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formerly considered conspecific with the Saltmarsh Sparrow, it was recognized as a distinct species in 1998.
Unlike most sparrows, males do not defend strict territories and instead use a 'scramble competition' mating system.
The species is divided into three distinct breeding populations: the Interior (prairies), James Bay, and Acadian (coastal).
Its nest is a bulky cup of grass often built just inches above the water line, making it vulnerable to flooding.
The sharp, stiff tail feathers are an adaptation for bracing against and maneuvering through dense, wet marsh vegetation.

Habitat

Salt marshes, brackish marshes, and interior freshwater wet meadows or prairie potholes.

Range

Breeds in the Northern Great Plains, James Bay, and the Atlantic coast from Quebec to Maine; winters along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Similar & commonly confused birds

LeConte's SparrowAmmospiza leconteii Saltmarsh SparrowAmmospiza caudacuta Seaside SparrowAmmospiza maritima

Heard a Nelson's Sparrow?

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