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

Rock Wren

Salpinctes obsoletus

The Rock Wren is a pale, ground-dwelling bird of arid, stony environments, easily recognized by its habit of bobbing its body up and down while perched.

What it sounds like

A complex series of mechanical, buzzy trills and metallic 'pinking' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Scott Olmstead · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It famously constructs a 'pavement' or walkway of small, flat stones leading to its nest cavity.
Males have a remarkably diverse vocal repertoire, often utilizing over 100 different song types.
Unlike most birds, it can thrive in completely waterless environments by obtaining moisture from its insect diet.
The bird performs rhythmic, deep 'knee-bends' when agitated or while scanning for predators among boulders.
It is a resilient inhabitant of high-elevation alpine zones, sometimes nesting at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet.

Habitat

Arid rocky slopes, canyons, talus fields, and volcanic badlands with sparse vegetation.

Range

Western North America, from southern British Columbia through the United States to Central America.

Heard a Rock Wren?

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