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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striata

A slender, upright passerine noted for its inconspicuous grey-brown plumage and agile aerial insect-hunting maneuvers.

What it sounds like

A thin, high-pitched 'tzee' or 'tzzzt' call; song is a quiet, hesitant series of squeaky, scratchy notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:41

Rec. Louis-Marie Gourmelon · FranceCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Known for its characteristic 'sallying' behavior, where it flies from a perch to catch insects and often returns to the same spot.
Despite its common name, the 'spots' are actually fine longitudinal streaks located on the crown and breast.
One of the last migratory species to arrive in Europe for the breeding season, typically appearing in mid-May.
Exhibits a distinctive, frequent flicking of the wings and tail while perched on prominent vantage points.
A long-distance migrant that traverses the Mediterranean and Sahara to winter in sub-Saharan Africa.

Habitat

Open deciduous woodlands, parklands, mature gardens, and forest edges with clearings.

Range

Breeds throughout Europe and Western Asia; winters in Southern and Central Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Dusky FlycatcherMuscicapa adusta Ashy-breasted FlycatcherMuscicapa randi Asian Brown FlycatcherMuscicapa dauurica Brown-breasted FlycatcherMuscicapa muttui Brown-streaked FlycatcherMuscicapa williamsoni Cassin's FlycatcherMuscicapa cassini Dark-sided FlycatcherMuscicapa sibirica Ferruginous FlycatcherMuscicapa ferruginea

Heard a Spotted Flycatcher?

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