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

Stubble Quail

Coturnix pectoralis

The Stubble Quail is a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird and the most common quail species native to Australia, recognized for its intricate cryptic plumage. It is a highly nomadic species that thrives in open, grassy environments.

What it sounds like

A loud, repetitive two-note whistle, typically transcribed as 'chip-chip' or 'to-wheet'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Marc Anderson · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adult males are distinguished from females by their orange-buff throats and a prominent black patch on the center of the breast.
The species is highly nomadic, often traveling hundreds of kilometers to exploit temporary food resources triggered by inland rainfall.
When disturbed, they prefer to crouch and remain motionless, only flushing in a rapid, whirring flight when an intruder is within a few meters.
A prolific breeder, the female can lay a clutch of up to 14 eggs in a shallow, grass-lined ground scrape.
While primarily granivorous, they supplement their diet of grass and weed seeds with insects, particularly during the breeding season.

Habitat

Open grasslands, cereal stubble, pastures, and grassy woodlands.

Range

Widespread throughout the southern and eastern halves of Australia, including Tasmania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common QuailCoturnix coturnix Harlequin QuailCoturnix delegorguei Japanese QuailCoturnix japonica New Zealand QuailCoturnix novaezelandiae Rain QuailCoturnix coromandelica

Heard a Stubble Quail?

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