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

Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

The Pine Siskin is a small, streaky, nomadic finch known for its sharp bill and subtle yellow highlights in the wings and tail. It is a highly gregarious bird that often travels in large, active flocks during the winter months.

What it sounds like

A rapid, buzzy 'zreeeeeeet' rising in pitch, alongside various sharp, husky twittering notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 2:35

Rec. Greg Irving · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They can survive extreme cold by increasing their metabolic rate up to five times the normal resting rate for several hours.
Pine Siskins are known as 'irruptive' migrants, moving south in massive numbers only when coniferous seed crops fail in the north.
A single bird can store up to 10% of its body weight in seeds within its esophageal crop to digest overnight.
They are exceptionally social and often forage upside down on cone scales or thistle heads to reach hidden seeds.
During courtship, males perform a circular flight display while singing a constant, twittering song to attract mates.

Habitat

Coniferous and mixed forests, backyards with feeders, and weedy fields.

Range

Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the Northern US; winters throughout most of North America into Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American GoldfinchSpinus tristis Andean SiskinSpinus spinescens Antillean SiskinSpinus dominicensis Black SiskinSpinus atratus Black-capped SiskinSpinus atriceps Black-chinned SiskinSpinus barbatus Black-headed SiskinSpinus notatus Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinus

Heard a Pine Siskin?

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