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

Northern Pygmy-Owl

Glaucidium gnoma

A diminutive, diurnal owl of the western mountains characterized by its long tail and aggressive hunting behavior. It lacks the typical silent flight of larger owls and often hunts birds twice its size.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic series of high-pitched, hollow 'toot' notes repeated at intervals of about 2 seconds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 4:15

Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Features two black, white-outlined spots on the back of the neck that mimic 'false eyes' to deter predators.
Unlike most owls, it is primarily diurnal and crepuscular, being most active during the day and twilight.
Often located by observing 'mobbing' behavior, where songbirds congregate to harass and expose the owl's location.
Lacks the specialized 'fringed' feathers of other owls, making its flight audible rather than silent.
An exceptionally bold predator capable of taking down prey such as California Quail which significantly outweigh it.

Habitat

Open coniferous and mixed-broadleaf forests, often found at forest edges or clearings.

Range

Western North America, from British Columbia through the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast to Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Barred OwletGlaucidium capense Albertine OwletGlaucidium albertinum Amazonian Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium hardyi Andean Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium jardinii Asian Barred OwletGlaucidium cuculoides Austral Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium nana Central American Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium griseiceps Chestnut-backed OwletGlaucidium castanotum

Heard a Northern Pygmy-Owl?

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