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

Scintillant Hummingbird

Selasphorus scintilla

The Scintillant Hummingbird is one of the world's smallest avian species, characterized by its minute stature and the male's brilliant iridescent orange gorget. It is a high-altitude specialist restricted to the mountainous regions of southern Central America.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched liquid 'tsip' or 'tsit' call, and a buzzy, insect-like song from males.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Mike Nelson · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

With an average weight of only 2 grams and a length of 6.5 centimeters, it is the smallest bird species found in Costa Rica and Panama.
Males possess a brilliant rufous or orange-red throat patch (gorget) that lacks the violet hues found in the closely related Volcano Hummingbird.
Despite its tiny size, it is highly territorial and aggressively defends nectar sources from much larger hummingbird species.
The species is a member of the 'bee' hummingbird tribe (Mellisugini), which contains the smallest birds on Earth.
During the breeding season, males perform spectacular U-shaped aerial diving displays to attract potential mates.

Habitat

Montane forest edges, scrubby clearings, coffee plantations, and flower-rich suburban gardens.

Range

Highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, generally between 1,000 and 2,500 meters in elevation.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus Bumblebee HummingbirdSelasphorus heloisa Calliope HummingbirdSelasphorus calliope Glow-throated HummingbirdSelasphorus ardens Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus Volcano HummingbirdSelasphorus flammula Wine-throated HummingbirdSelasphorus ellioti

Heard a Scintillant Hummingbird?

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