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-winged Pytilia

Pytilia phoenicoptera

A small, elegant estrildid finch characterized by its soft gray plumage contrasted with vibrant crimson wings and rump.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched 'tseet' or 'sit'; the song is a series of soft, descending fluty whistles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Lars Lachmann · Ivory CoastCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a primary host for the brood-parasitic Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, which mimics the pytilia's nestling mouth patterns.
Unlike many seed-eating finches, this species consumes a high volume of termites and other insects, especially when rearing young.
The species exhibits subtle sexual dimorphism, with females typically showing heavier barring on the underparts and slightly duller red tones.
The scientific name 'phoenicoptera' is derived from Ancient Greek, meaning 'crimson-winged', a trait shared with flamingos.
In the pet trade and aviculture, they are frequently known by the alternative name 'Aurora Finch'.

Habitat

Dry savanna, broad-leaved woodland, and thickets, often near water sources.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, occurring in a broad belt from Senegal and Guinea across to Sudan and Ethiopia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Green-winged PytiliaPytilia melba Orange-winged PytiliaPytilia afra Red-billed PytiliaPytilia lineata Red-faced PytiliaPytilia hypogrammica Red-faced PytiliaPytilia hypogrammica

Heard a Red-winged Pytilia?

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