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

Tawny-crested Tanager

Tachyphonus delatrii

A restless, medium-sized tanager of humid lowland forests, recognized by the male's velvety black plumage and vibrant, often-concealed orange crest.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, sharp, and metallic 'tsip' or 'sweee' notes, frequently repeated to maintain flock cohesion.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:19

Rec. rudy gelis · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males feature a brilliant tawny-gold crest that is frequently held flat and only flared during displays or excitement.
They are exceptionally social, often traveling in large, active, single-species groups of 15 to 30 individuals.
This species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism; females are a dull, uniform olive-brown, lacking the male's black plumage and bright crest.
They are known as 'nuclear species' in mixed-species flocks, as their constant movement and calls often attract other bird species to follow them.
Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of a high-energy mix of small fruits, berries, and various arthropods gleaned from foliage.

Habitat

Humid lowland and foothill evergreen forests, particularly in the understory and mid-story layers.

Range

Central and South America, ranging from Nicaragua south to western Colombia and western Ecuador.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Fulvous-crested TanagerTachyphonus surinamus Red-shouldered TanagerTachyphonus phoenicius Ruby-crowned TanagerTachyphonus coronatus White-lined TanagerTachyphonus rufus

Heard a Tawny-crested Tanager?

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