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 Warbling Vireo

Vireo swainsoni

A small, drab songbird of the western canopy, the Western Warbling Vireo is best identified by its persistent, burry song rather than its plain olive-gray plumage.

What it sounds like

A rapid, breezy, and burry series of warbling notes, typically ending with a sharp, rising 'question-like' inflection.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is often distinguished from the Eastern Warbling Vireo by its smaller bill, darker crown, and more 'squeaky' song quality.
Both males and females are known to sing while sitting on the nest, a behavior rare among most songbird species.
The nest is a meticulously woven hanging cup made of plant fibers and spiderwebs, suspended from the fork of a deciduous branch.
During the breeding season, they are almost entirely insectivorous, specializing in gleaning caterpillars from the undersides of leaves.
While visually inconspicuous, they are one of the most vocal birds in riparian habitats, often singing throughout the heat of the day.

Habitat

Deciduous and mixed forests, particularly riparian corridors containing cottonwoods, aspens, and maples.

Range

Western North America, breeding from Alaska and Western Canada through the Western United States to Northern Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bell's VireoVireo bellii Black-capped VireoVireo atricapilla Black-whiskered VireoVireo altiloquus Blue Mountain VireoVireo osburni Blue-headed VireoVireo solitarius Brown-capped VireoVireo leucophrys Cassin's VireoVireo cassinii Chivi VireoVireo chivi

Heard a Western Warbling Vireo?

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