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

Volcano Hummingbird

Selasphorus flammula

A diminutive hummingbird endemic to high-altitude volcanic peaks, distinguished by its metallic gorget that varies in color between specific mountain ranges.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, squeaky 'tsip' notes and mechanical wing-humming in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest bird found within its geographic range, typically weighing only 2.5 to 3 grams.
The species is divided into three subspecies, each with a different gorget color: rose-red, purple-red, or orange-red depending on the volcano inhabited.
Unlike many hummingbirds, it frequently feeds on low-growing flowers while perched rather than exclusively hovering.
Males produce a distinct mechanical whistling sound with their wings during high-speed aerial diving displays.
It is a high-altitude specialist, rarely found below 1,850 meters and ranging up to the timberline.

Habitat

Subalpine paramo, shrubby forest edges, and open montane scrubland.

Range

Highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Allen's HummingbirdSelasphorus sasin Broad-tailed HummingbirdSelasphorus platycercus Bumblebee HummingbirdSelasphorus heloisa Calliope HummingbirdSelasphorus calliope Glow-throated HummingbirdSelasphorus ardens Rufous HummingbirdSelasphorus rufus Scintillant HummingbirdSelasphorus scintilla Wine-throated HummingbirdSelasphorus ellioti

Heard a Volcano Hummingbird?

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Identify a bird by its song