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-shouldered Blackbird

Agelaius humeralis

A medium-sized icterid primarily distinguished by its glossy black plumage and diagnostic tawny or buff-colored epaulets.

What it sounds like

A series of buzzy, nasal whistles and harsh metallic 'tsh-heee' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. FREDERIC Lionel · CubaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike many other Agelaius species, the tawny shoulder patches are present in both sexes, though slightly duller in females.
It is a frequent host for the brood-parasitic Shiny Cowbird, which often impacts its reproductive success.
The species is highly social and typically forages in large, noisy flocks outside of the nesting season.
Its diet is opportunistic and omnivorous, consisting of insects, seeds, fruits, and occasionally floral nectar.
While closely related to the Red-winged Blackbird, it has a noticeably more slender and pointed bill adapted for varied foraging.

Habitat

Open lowland areas including pastures, agricultural fields, scrubland, and mangrove edges.

Range

The Caribbean islands of Cuba and Hispaniola, including several smaller offshore cays.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Red-shouldered BlackbirdAgelaius assimilis Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus Tricolored BlackbirdAgelaius tricolor Yellow-shouldered BlackbirdAgelaius xanthomus

Heard a Tawny-shouldered Blackbird?

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