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

Russet-naped Wren

Campylorhynchus humilis

A large, bold wren endemic to the Pacific coast of Mexico, characterized by its reddish-brown nape and complex social behaviors.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, rhythmic, and scratchy gurgling notes, frequently performed as a synchronized duet between pairs.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

Field notes

Formerly classified as a subspecies of the Rufous-naped Wren, it was recently split into a distinct species based on genetic and vocal differences.
It participates in cooperative breeding, where older offspring remain with their parents to help raise the next brood.
The species builds conspicuous, bulky, globular nests often placed in thorny acacia trees to deter predators.
Its scientific name 'humilis' reflects its tendency to forage lower to the ground or in low scrub compared to some other Campylorhynchus species.
They are highly territorial and will aggressively mob potential predators, such as snakes or small raptors, that enter their nesting area.

Habitat

Arid to semi-arid tropical scrub, thorn forests, and dry deciduous woodlands.

Range

Southwestern Mexico, ranging along the Pacific slope from Colima south to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Band-backed WrenCampylorhynchus zonatus Bicolored WrenCampylorhynchus griseus Boucard's WrenCampylorhynchus jocosus Cactus WrenCampylorhynchus brunneicapillus Fasciated WrenCampylorhynchus fasciatus Giant WrenCampylorhynchus chiapensis Gray-barred WrenCampylorhynchus megalopterus Rufous-backed WrenCampylorhynchus capistratus

Heard a Russet-naped Wren?

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