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

Oriental Magpie

Pica serica

A large, intelligent corvid featuring striking black-and-white plumage with vivid purple-blue iridescence on its wings and tail.

What it sounds like

A series of harsh, rhythmic, and somewhat nasal 'chacker-chacker' or 'ka-ka-ka' sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:15

Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Phylogenetic studies of mitochondrial DNA led to its elevation from a subspecies of the Eurasian Magpie to a full species.
It is a significant cultural icon in East Asia and is officially designated as the national bird of South Korea.
Compared to the Eurasian Magpie, it possesses a noticeably larger body but proportionally shorter wings and tail.
The species demonstrates high cognitive capacity, including the ability to recognize itself in the mirror test.
They construct large, domed nests out of twigs and mud, frequently utilizing utility poles in urban environments.

Habitat

Open woodlands, agricultural fields, urban parks, and suburban gardens.

Range

East Asia, including Eastern China, Korea, Taiwan, and northern Indochina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Asir MagpiePica asirensis Black-billed MagpiePica hudsonia Black-rumped MagpiePica bottanensis Eurasian MagpiePica pica Maghreb MagpiePica mauritanica Yellow-billed MagpiePica nuttalli

Heard a Oriental Magpie?

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