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 Meadowlark

Sturnella neglecta

A quintessential bird of the American West, the Western Meadowlark is a stocky ground-dweller celebrated for its vibrant yellow underparts and melodic, flute-like song.

What it sounds like

A rich, low-pitched series of flute-like warbles and liquid gurgles that typically descend in scale.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:23

Rec. Michael Collins · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the official state bird of six different U.S. states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming.
The species name 'neglecta' was bestowed by John James Audubon because he believed the bird had been overlooked by previous naturalists who confused it with the Eastern Meadowlark.
To forage, it uses a technique called 'gaping,' where it probes its bill into the ground and forces it open to create a hole and expose hidden insects.
Despite nearly identical plumage to the Eastern Meadowlark, the two species rarely hybridize because their distinct songs prevent cross-species mating.
Their nests are intricately woven grass domes with side entrances, often featuring 'runways' or tunnels leading through the vegetation to hide the location from predators.

Habitat

Open grasslands, prairies, meadows, and agricultural fields.

Range

Western and central North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chihuahuan MeadowlarkSturnella lilianae Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna

Heard a Western Meadowlark?

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