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

Prairie Warbler

Setophaga discolor

The Prairie Warbler is a small, vibrant songbird of the eastern United States, distinguished by its bright yellow underparts, black facial streaking, and constant tail-wagging.

What it sounds like

A thin, buzzy series of 'zee-zee-zee' notes that steadily rise in pitch.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Brian Henderson · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its name, this species is rarely found in open prairies, preferring early-successional scrub and overgrown fields.
It is one of the few warblers that frequently bobs or wags its tail while foraging for insects in low vegetation.
The species is a frequent host for Brown-headed Cowbird eggs, which can significantly impact its nesting success.
Research indicates that males use different songs for territory defense versus attracting a mate.
Populations are in decline due to the maturation of old fields into closed-canopy forests, which eliminates their required habitat.

Habitat

Shrubby old fields, young pine barrens, mangroves, and power-line rights-of-way.

Range

Breeds across the eastern U.S. and southern Ontario; winters in Florida, the West Indies, and parts of Central America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Adelaide's WarblerSetophaga adelaidae American RedstartSetophaga ruticilla Arrowhead WarblerSetophaga pharetra Bahama WarblerSetophaga flavescens Barbuda WarblerSetophaga subita Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castanea Black-throated Blue WarblerSetophaga caerulescens Black-throated Gray WarblerSetophaga nigrescens

Heard a Prairie Warbler?

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