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

Oaxaca Sparrow

Aimophila notosticta

The Oaxaca Sparrow is a large, rufous-crowned endemic of the southern Mexican highlands, distinguished by its bold facial stripes and heavy dorsal streaking. It is a reclusive inhabitant of arid scrublands, closely related to the more widespread Rufous-crowned Sparrow.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, metallic 'tink' or 'tsit' call and a song composed of hurried, squeaky chips and dry trills.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Manuel Grosselet · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is endemic to a very small geographic area, primarily restricted to the interior highlands of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Its scientific name 'notosticta' is derived from Greek roots meaning 'spotted back,' referring to the dark streaks on its mantle.
Unlike many other sparrows, it has a notably thick, heavy bill adapted for foraging in arid, rocky environments.
It is often found in association with agave and terrestrial bromeliads, which provide both nesting cover and foraging opportunities.
While it resembles the Rufous-crowned Sparrow, it is larger and displays much darker, more distinct black lateral throat stripes.

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid montane scrub, typically on rocky slopes with oak, acacia, and agave.

Range

Highlands of northern and central Oaxaca, Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Rufous-crowned SparrowAimophila ruficeps Rusty SparrowAimophila rufescens Rusty SparrowAimophila rufescens

Heard a Oaxaca Sparrow?

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