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-crested Cardinal

Paroaria coronata

A striking South American tanager recognized by its vibrant crimson head, prominent crest, and contrasting grey and white plumage.

What it sounds like

A series of clear, melodic whistles often transcribed as 'cheery-cheery-cheery' with a variable, flute-like quality.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:07

Rec. Pedro Sanetti · ArgentinaCC0 Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its common name, this species belongs to the tanager family (Thraupidae) rather than the true cardinal family (Cardinalidae).
Adults are monomorphic, meaning males and females are virtually indistinguishable in appearance.
Juveniles lack the iconic red head, instead displaying a dull brownish-orange crest and face for their first few months.
The species was introduced to Hawaii in the late 1920s and has become a ubiquitous sight in urban parks and coastal areas.
It is primarily a granivore but opportunistically consumes insects and small fruits during the breeding season.

Habitat

Semi-open shrublands, light forests, tropical scrub, and urban parklands.

Range

Native to central South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay); introduced to Hawaii.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Crimson-fronted CardinalParoaria baeri Masked CardinalParoaria nigrogenis Red-capped CardinalParoaria gularis Red-cowled CardinalParoaria dominicana Yellow-billed CardinalParoaria capitata

Heard a Red-crested Cardinal?

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Identify a bird by its song