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-headed Finch

Amadina erythrocephala

A robust, ground-feeding estrildid finch of southern Africa, best known for the male's striking crimson head and intricate scaly underparts.

What it sounds like

A low, rasping 'chuk-chuk' contact call and a quiet, bubbling, warbling song.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:28

Rec. Tony Archer · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Sexual dimorphism is pronounced; only the male possesses the red hood, while the female is entirely grayish-brown.
They are opportunistic breeders that frequently utilize the abandoned nests of weavers and sparrows rather than building their own.
Highly gregarious and nomadic, these birds often form massive flocks of several hundred individuals at watering holes.
The species is closely related to the Cut-throat Finch, with which it occasionally hybridizes where their ranges overlap.
Their ventral feathers feature dark subterminal bands that create a distinctive 'scalloped' or scaly appearance.

Habitat

Arid savannas, semi-desert scrub, and open grasslands, usually in close proximity to water.

Range

Southern Africa, primarily inhabiting South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cut-throatAmadina fasciata

Heard a Red-headed Finch?

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