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 Wheatear

Oenanthe oenanthe

A hardy, ground-dwelling songbird known for its striking white rump and one of the most ambitious migratory journeys of any small passerine.

What it sounds like

A sharp, clicking 'chack-chack' and a fast, scratchy song featuring warbles and whistling notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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

Field notes

Undertakes a massive migration of up to 30,000 km round-trip, with some populations flying from Alaska to sub-Saharan Africa.
The name 'Wheatear' is derived from the Old English 'white-ars', describing its conspicuous white rump patch.
It is a cavity nester, frequently utilizing rock crevices, stone walls, and even abandoned rabbit burrows for its eggs.
Despite breeding across a vast range including North America and Eurasia, almost the entire global population winters in Africa.
Its foraging behavior involves 'run-and-pause' tactics, often standing tall on rocks to scan for insects before darting to catch them.

Habitat

Open, rocky terrain, tundra, barren uplands, and coastal cliffs with short vegetation.

Range

Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere (Eurasia, North America, Greenland); winters in sub-Saharan Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian WheatearOenanthe lugubris Arabian WheatearOenanthe lugentoides Atlas WheatearOenanthe seebohmi Black WheatearOenanthe leucura BlackstartOenanthe melanura Brown Rock ChatOenanthe fusca Brown-tailed ChatOenanthe scotocerca Buff-breasted WheatearOenanthe bottae

Heard a Northern Wheatear?

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