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

Scaly-breasted Munia

Lonchura punctulata

A small, gregarious estrildid finch easily identified by the distinct chocolate-brown, scale-like patterns on its underparts. It is a common resident across tropical Asia and has established successful feral populations in many parts of the world.

What it sounds like

A soft, repetitive 'kitty-kitty-kitty' contact call and a very quiet, complex warbling song produced by males.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Joan Theng · SingaporeCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

In the pet trade, this species is frequently referred to as the Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch.
They are highly social birds, often forming massive communal roosts and foraging in tight-knit flocks outside the breeding season.
While primarily granivorous, they have been observed feeding on filamentous algae, a rare behavior among small passerines.
Their nests are large, untidy domes made of grass and bamboo leaves, typically featuring a side entrance.
The species exhibits significant plumage variation across its range, with at least 11 recognized subspecies.

Habitat

Open landscapes including grasslands, agricultural fields, suburban gardens, and scrublands.

Range

Native to Southern and Southeastern Asia; introduced populations are established in Australia, the United States, and various tropical islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alpine MuniaLonchura monticola Bismarck MuniaLonchura melaena Black MuniaLonchura stygia Black-breasted MuniaLonchura teerinki Black-faced MuniaLonchura molucca Black-throated MuniaLonchura kelaarti Chestnut MuniaLonchura atricapilla Chestnut-breasted MuniaLonchura castaneothorax

Heard a Scaly-breasted Munia?

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