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

Ocellated Quail

Cyrtonyx ocellatus

A shy, cryptically colored highland quail of Central America, recognized by its bold facial markings and spotted plumage.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched descending whistle or a soft, slow trill that can be difficult to locate.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:49

Rec. Peter Boesman · GuatemalaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Closely related to the Montezuma Quail but distinguished by its heavier spotting and distinct range.
Equipped with exceptionally large, strong claws used for excavating underground tubers and bulbs.
Exhibits extreme 'freeze' behavior when approached, relying on camouflage until nearly stepped upon.
Males feature a complex 'harlequin' facial pattern and white ocellated spots on their dark sides.
Classified as Vulnerable due to its fragmented population and reliance on specific pine-oak ecosystems.

Habitat

Montane pine-oak forests and open grassy slopes between 1,500 and 3,000 meters elevation.

Range

Highlands of southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and northern Nicaragua.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Montezuma QuailCyrtonyx montezumae

Heard a Ocellated Quail?

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