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

Thick-billed Warbler

Arundinax aedon

The Thick-billed Warbler is a large, unstreaked warbler notable for its heavy, short bill and lack of the pale eyestripe common to its relatives. It is a secretive bird that favors dense thickets and scrub over open wetlands.

What it sounds like

A loud, fast, and varied song featuring mimicry; the common call is a harsh, repetitive 'tche-tche' or 'chk-chk'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Peter Boesman · ChinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the genus Arundinax, having been moved from Acrocephalus due to distinct morphological and genetic differences.
Unlike most similar-looking warblers, it lacks a prominent pale supercilium, giving it a very 'plain-faced' appearance.
It is a highly accomplished mimic, weaving the songs and calls of other bird species into its own loud, varied vocalizations.
Despite its name and resemblance to reed warblers, it often breeds in drier habitats like forest edges and tall herb-shrub communities.
The species possesses a notably rounded tail and short primary projections, which are key identification features in the field.

Habitat

Dense deciduous scrub, tall grass, reed beds, and secondary forest edges.

Range

Breeds from Southern Siberia to Northeastern China; winters in South and Southeast Asia.

Heard a Thick-billed Warbler?

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