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

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

A large, aggressive flycatcher of open country, distinguished by its pale gray head, lemon-yellow underparts, and black tail with distinctive white outer margins.

What it sounds like

A rapid series of sharp, metallic 'whit' notes followed by rising, squeaky, complex trills.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 6:57

Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Highly territorial, they frequently harass and drive away much larger raptors and corvids from their nesting sites.
The species' scientific name, Tyrannus verticalis, refers to a concealed orange-red crown patch only visible during aggressive or courtship displays.
They have expanded their range eastward significantly since the early 20th century, utilizing human-altered landscapes and utility corridors.
A specialized insectivore, it primarily captures prey like bees, wasps, and grasshoppers through aerial sallying or 'hawking.'
Their nests are often built in highly exposed locations, including power poles, windmills, and the cross-arms of utility structures.

Habitat

Open grasslands, agricultural fields, and shrublands with scattered tall trees or man-made structures for nesting.

Range

Breeds throughout western North America and the Great Plains; migrates to wintering grounds in southern Mexico and Central America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cassin's KingbirdTyrannus vociferans Couch's KingbirdTyrannus couchii Eastern KingbirdTyrannus tyrannus Fork-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus savana Giant KingbirdTyrannus cubensis Gray KingbirdTyrannus dominicensis Loggerhead KingbirdTyrannus caudifasciatus Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatus

Heard a Western Kingbird?

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