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

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

A small, striking tyrant flycatcher known for the male's brilliant scarlet plumage and its conspicuous habit of perching on low branches to hawk for insects.

What it sounds like

A thin, stuttering 'pit-pit-pit-zee-eeee' song and a sharp, metallic 'peet' call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:03

Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males perform a spectacular courtship display where they flutter high into the air while singing, then puff out their feathers and descend.
Unlike many drab flycatchers, this species shows extreme sexual dimorphism, with females possessing grayish-brown upperparts and a salmon-colored belly.
The brilliant red color of the male is derived from carotenoid pigments obtained through their diet of various insects.
They are unique among flycatchers for frequently dropping to the ground to capture prey in addition to catching insects in mid-air.
Nests are often reinforced with spider silk and decorated with bits of lichen to provide camouflage from predators.

Habitat

Open areas including desert scrub, riparian corridors, ranchlands, and parks, typically near a water source.

Range

Southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to central Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brujo FlycatcherPyrocephalus nanus

Heard a Vermilion Flycatcher?

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