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

Vitelline Masked-Weaver

Ploceus vitellinus

A small, vibrant African weaver characterized by the male's sharp black facial mask and bright yellow-orange plumage. It is renowned for its architectural skill in crafting intricate, globular nests from grass and palm strips.

What it sounds like

A rapid, chattering sequence of 'tsip-tsip' notes culminating in a dry, wheezy, sizzling buzz.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. isaac kilusu · KenyaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The male features a 'vitelline' (egg-yellow) crown and a distinct red iris, distinguishing it from the similar Southern Masked-Weaver.
Unlike many other weaver species, its nest typically lacks a long entrance tunnel, appearing as a compact, kidney-shaped structure.
Males perform a vigorous courtship display by hanging upside down from their nests while rapidly flapping their wings to attract females.
It is a highly gregarious species, often forming dense nesting colonies in acacia trees, sometimes alongside other Ploceus species.
Their diet is primarily granivorous, focusing on seeds and grain, but they switch to insects when providing protein for developing chicks.

Habitat

Dry acacia savanna, semi-arid scrublands, and open woodland, frequently situated near water sources.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, spanning the Sahel from Senegal to Ethiopia and south into Tanzania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Golden-WeaverPloceus subaureus Asian Golden WeaverPloceus hypoxanthus Baglafecht WeaverPloceus baglafecht Bannerman's WeaverPloceus bannermani Bar-winged WeaverPloceus angolensis Bates's WeaverPloceus batesi Baya WeaverPloceus philippinus Bertram's WeaverPloceus bertrandi

Heard a Vitelline Masked-Weaver?

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