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

Red-cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

A striking, medium-sized tanager endemic to Brazil, characterized by its brilliant red head and contrastingly plain, crestless profile.

What it sounds like

A melodic and rhythmic series of clear, liquid whistles, typically rendered as a repetitive 'tchew-tchew-tchew'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:36

Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its common name, it belongs to the tanager family (Thraupidae) rather than the true cardinal family (Cardinalidae).
It lacks the distinct crest found in its close relative, the Red-crested Cardinal, presenting a smooth, rounded head shape.
The species is monomorphic, meaning males and females possess nearly identical plumage, which is unusual for many brightly colored tropical birds.
Juveniles are born with a dull brownish or ochre head, only attaining the vibrant crimson 'cowl' after their first molt.
It is a highly social bird, often observed in small flocks foraging for seeds and insects in open or semi-arid environments.

Habitat

Caatinga dry scrub, open woodlands, and degraded secondary forests.

Range

Endemic to northeastern Brazil.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Crimson-fronted CardinalParoaria baeri Masked CardinalParoaria nigrogenis Red-capped CardinalParoaria gularis Red-crested CardinalParoaria coronata Yellow-billed CardinalParoaria capitata

Heard a Red-cowled Cardinal?

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