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

Scaled Quail

Callipepla squamata

A distinctive bluish-gray desert quail recognized by its white-tipped crest and dark-edged plumage that creates a rhythmic, scaly appearance.

What it sounds like

A loud, nasal, two-note location call often described as 'pe-cos' or 'pay-cos'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Commonly nicknamed 'Cotton-top' due to the conspicuous tuft of white feathers at the peak of its crest.
Primarily a terrestrial cursor, it prefers to outrun predators at high speeds rather than taking flight.
The namesake 'scales' are actually sharp black borders on the feathers of the breast, neck, and back.
Populations exhibit dramatic 'boom and bust' cycles, with breeding success tied heavily to seasonal rainfall and succulent growth.
During winter, individuals aggregate into large social units called coveys that can exceed 100 birds.

Habitat

Arid grasslands, Chihuahuan desert scrub, and open plains with scattered mesquite, cactus, or yucca.

Range

Southwestern United States, including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, south into central Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

California QuailCallipepla californica Elegant QuailCallipepla douglasii Gambel's QuailCallipepla gambelii

Heard a Scaled Quail?

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