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

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Corthylio calendula

A tiny, olive-green songbird known for its energetic movement and the male's usually hidden scarlet crown patch.

What it sounds like

A surprisingly loud, three-part song beginning with thin high notes, followed by low tew-tew notes, and ending in a rhythmic 'liberty-liberty-liberty' warble.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:24

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

Field notes

Despite weighing only 6 to 10 grams, females can lay a clutch of up to 12 eggs that collectively weigh as much as she does.
The species exhibits a characteristic, near-constant nervous wing-flicking behavior while foraging for insects.
The namesake ruby crest is typically concealed by green feathers and is only flashed when the male is agitated or displaying.
Recent taxonomic shifts moved this species from the genus Regulus to its own monospecific genus, Corthylio.
They have a remarkably high metabolic rate, requiring them to consume nearly their body weight in insects and spiders daily.

Habitat

Coniferous forests for breeding; deciduous woods, thickets, and suburban gardens during migration and winter.

Range

Breeds across Alaska, Canada, and the western US; winters in the southern United States and Mexico.

Heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet?

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