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

Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus fumigatus

A small, unpatterned woodpecker characterized by its uniform chocolate-brown plumage and inconspicuous foraging habits.

What it sounds like

A sharp, high-pitched 'peek' or 'wick' note, often given in a rapid, slightly descending rattle.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:43

Rec. Jacob Wijpkema · BoliviaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is nearly unique among woodpeckers for its total lack of barring, spots, or streaks on its wings and underparts.
Males possess a dull red patch on the crown and nape, while females have a completely brown head.
This species prefers foraging on slender branches, vines, and bamboo rather than large tree trunks.
It is a frequent member of mixed-species foraging flocks, moving through the mid-story and sub-canopy.
The species was formerly placed in the genus Veniliornis before molecular data moved it to Leuconotopicus.

Habitat

Humid montane forests, secondary growth, and shaded coffee plantations.

Range

Ranges from eastern Mexico through Central America to the northern Andes of South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Arizona WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus arizonae Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosus Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealis Strickland's WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus stricklandi White-headed WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus albolarvatus

Heard a Smoky-brown Woodpecker?

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