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

Steller's Jay

Cyanocitta stelleri

A striking, charcoal-headed songbird with deep blue plumage and a prominent crest, common in western evergreen forests.

What it sounds like

Harsh, raspy 'shack-shack-shack' or 'waa-waa' notes, plus convincing imitations of raptor screams.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Denis Dujardin · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only crested jay native to western North America.
They are exceptional mimics, frequently imitating the calls of Red-tailed Hawks to clear other birds from feeding areas.
Steller's Jays and Blue Jays occasionally hybridize in narrow zones where their ranges overlap in the Rockies.
They are highly intelligent corvids that store thousands of seeds annually, contributing significantly to forest regeneration.
Nesting pairs are monogamous and typically remain together year-round in the same territory.

Habitat

Coniferous and mixed-coniferous forests, montane woodlands, and suburban gardens.

Range

Western North America, from southern Alaska through the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast to Nicaragua.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue JayCyanocitta cristata

Heard a Steller's Jay?

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