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-headed Robin

Larvivora ruficeps

The Rufous-headed Robin is an endangered, elusive chat characterized by its vibrant orange-red crown and contrasting black face mask. It is a secretive species that breeds in the high-altitude forests of central China and migrates to Southeast Asia.

What it sounds like

A complex, melodic song featuring a series of high-pitched, fluty whistles, varied trills, and occasional mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to its extremely small, fragmented population and loss of breeding habitat.
Males exhibit a striking plumage with a rufous crown and nape, a black face mask, and a white throat framed by a thin black border.
For decades, its wintering grounds remained a mystery until sightings were confirmed in the Malay Peninsula and Thailand.
It was previously classified in the genus Luscinia but was moved to Larvivora following molecular phylogenetic research.
During the breeding season, it is highly territorial and inhabits dense undergrowth at elevations between 2,400 and 3,500 meters.

Habitat

High-altitude temperate deciduous forests, bamboo thickets, and mountain scrub.

Range

Breeds in north-central China (Sichuan and Shaanxi); winters in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Indian Blue RobinLarvivora brunnea Izu RobinLarvivora tanensis Japanese RobinLarvivora akahige Okinawa RobinLarvivora namiyei Rufous-headed RobinLarvivora ruficeps Rufous-tailed RobinLarvivora sibilans Ryukyu RobinLarvivora komadori Siberian Blue RobinLarvivora cyane

Heard a Rufous-headed Robin?

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