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

Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush

Garrulax castanotis

A medium-sized, social forest passerine distinguished by its prominent chestnut ear patches and vibrant, gregarious behavior.

What it sounds like

A loud, melodic series of varied whistles, chattering notes, and rhythmic laughing phrases often performed in chorus.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Dave Guo · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was formerly classified as a subspecies of the Grey-sided Laughingthrush (Garrulax caerulatus).
The species is highly social, typically foraging in noisy groups within the dense forest understory.
It features a distinctive white stripe behind the eye that contrasts sharply with its namesake rufous cheeks.
Though primarily a ground-forager, it is an omnivore that consumes a mix of insects, seeds, and small berries.
The population on Hainan Island is sometimes treated as a distinct subspecies, Garrulax castanotis castanotis.

Habitat

Subtropical or tropical moist lowland and montane forests, particularly in dense secondary growth.

Range

Southeastern Asia, specifically in parts of Laos, Vietnam, and Hainan Island, China.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-hooded LaughingthrushGarrulax milleti Cambodian LaughingthrushGarrulax ferrarius Chinese HwameiGarrulax canorus Gray LaughingthrushGarrulax maesi Lesser Necklaced LaughingthrushGarrulax monileger Orange-breasted LaughingthrushGarrulax annamensis Rufous-fronted LaughingthrushGarrulax rufifrons Spot-breasted LaughingthrushGarrulax merulinus

Heard a Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush?

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