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 Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

A specialized finch easily identified by its unique crossed mandibles, evolved specifically to extract seeds from conifer cones. These birds are highly nomadic, traveling in flocks to follow irregular mast years across northern forests.

What it sounds like

A series of sharp, metallic 'jip-jip-jip' or 'kip-kip' notes usually given in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bauke Albada · NetherlandsCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The bill tips can cross to either the left or right, a trait determined by the direction of the lower mandible's curve.
They are opportunistic breeders capable of nesting in mid-winter if a localized conifer seed crop is sufficiently abundant.
The species is composed of several 'ecotypes' or cryptic species that specialize in different tree species based on bill size and vocalizations.
Like parrots, they frequently use their bills as a third limb to assist in climbing through dense evergreen branches.
They are known to consume salt and mineral-rich grit from roadsides to supplement their low-sodium diet of seeds.

Habitat

Mature coniferous forests, particularly those dominated by spruce, pine, Douglas-fir, or hemlock.

Range

Widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Eurasia, and parts of North Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cassia CrossbillLoxia sinesciuris Hispaniolan CrossbillLoxia megaplaga Parrot CrossbillLoxia pytyopsittacus Scottish CrossbillLoxia scotica White-winged CrossbillLoxia leucoptera

Heard a Red Crossbill?

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