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

Ruffed Grouse

Bonasa umbellus

A medium-sized forest bird famous for its elaborate drumming display and cryptic plumage, the Ruffed Grouse is a quintessential inhabitant of North American woodlands.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic series of low-frequency wing-beats that sound like a distant engine starting, plus various sharp 'quit' or 'pitt' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 2:21

Rec. Greg Irving · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males create a low-frequency thumping sound by rapidly beating their wings against the air in a display known as 'drumming'.
They grow 'pectinations' in winter—comb-like scales on their toes that act as natural snowshoes for walking on deep drifts.
The species exhibits two distinct color morphs, gray and red, which provide camouflage in different forest environments.
They often seek thermal refuge in winter by diving into deep, soft snow to spend the night in insulated snow burrows.
Their winter diet relies heavily on the dormant buds of trees, particularly aspen, birch, and alder.

Habitat

Early-successional deciduous and mixed forests, particularly those with dense understory and aspen stands.

Range

Across Canada and the northern United States, extending south through the Appalachian Mountains.

Heard a Ruffed Grouse?

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