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 Fody

Foudia madagascariensis

A small, vibrant weaver bird native to Madagascar, most famous for the male's brilliant crimson breeding plumage.

What it sounds like

A series of sharp, metallic 'tsip' notes and a high-pitched, sizzling trill.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:18

Rec. Frank Lambert · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males undergo a dramatic seasonal molt from dull olive-brown to striking scarlet to attract mates.
Though native to Madagascar, it has become an invasive species on many Indian Ocean islands where it competes with rare endemic fodies.
They are opportunistic feeders that consume seeds, insects, and even nectar using a specialized brush-tipped tongue.
During the non-breeding season, they form large, social flocks that can become significant agricultural pests in rice paddies.
The nest is a neatly woven, oval structure with a side entrance, typically suspended from palm fronds or high tree branches.

Habitat

Grasslands, forest clearings, agricultural fields, and urban gardens.

Range

Madagascar (native); introduced to Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and the Comoros.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Aldabra FodyFoudia aldabrana Forest FodyFoudia omissa Mauritius FodyFoudia rubra Red-headed FodyFoudia eminentissima Reunion FodyFoudia delloni Rodrigues FodyFoudia flavicans Rodrigues FodyFoudia flavicans Seychelles FodyFoudia sechellarum

Heard a Red Fody?

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