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

Scottish Crossbill

Loxia scotica

The Scottish Crossbill is a robust finch and the United Kingdom's only endemic bird species. It is specifically adapted to feed on the seeds of the Scots pine using its unique crossed mandibles.

What it sounds like

A hard, metallic 'tup-tup-tup' call, which is deeper and more resonant than the Common Crossbill's.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Marcin Sołowiej · United KingdomCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only terrestrial vertebrate species found exclusively in the British Isles.
The species is distinguished from other crossbills primarily by its 'intermediate' bill size and specific vocalizations.
They are opportunistic breeders, sometimes nesting in late winter if the pine seed crop is abundant.
The mandibles can cross in either direction, an adaptation that allows the bird to exert pressure on pine cone scales.
Populations are largely sedentary, remaining within the Scottish Highlands year-round rather than migrating.

Habitat

Old-growth Caledonian pine forests and mature conifer plantations.

Range

Scottish Highlands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cassia CrossbillLoxia sinesciuris Hispaniolan CrossbillLoxia megaplaga Parrot CrossbillLoxia pytyopsittacus Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostra White-winged CrossbillLoxia leucoptera

Heard a Scottish Crossbill?

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