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

White-crested Elaenia

Elaenia albiceps

The White-crested Elaenia is a small, versatile tyrant flycatcher characterized by its drab olive plumage and a semi-concealed white crown patch.

What it sounds like

A wheezy, whistled 'fwee-yerr' or 'pwee-ur', sometimes accompanied by sharp, clicking notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Manuel Sánchez-Nivicela · EcuadorCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a hidden white crest on its crown that is typically concealed but flashed vividly during territorial displays or when agitated.
The species is a significant austral migrant, with southern populations traveling from Patagonia as far north as the Amazon basin during the winter.
Unlike many specialized insectivores, it is highly frugivorous, playing a critical role in seed dispersal for various Andean and temperate shrubs.
Taxonomists recognize several subspecies, such as E. a. chilensis, which some authorities suggest may constitute a distinct species based on vocalizations.
It is known for its adaptable nesting habits, building cup-shaped nests in a wide variety of shrubs, often utilizing moss and lichen for camouflage.

Habitat

Temperate forests, montane scrub, woodland edges, gardens, and Nothofagus (Southern Beech) forests.

Range

Western and southern South America, ranging from the Andes of Colombia south to Tierra del Fuego.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue Mountain ElaeniaElaenia fallax Brownish ElaeniaElaenia pelzelni Caribbean ElaeniaElaenia martinica Coopmans's ElaeniaElaenia brachyptera Great ElaeniaElaenia dayi Highland ElaeniaElaenia obscura Hispaniolan ElaeniaElaenia cherriei Large ElaeniaElaenia spectabilis

Heard a White-crested Elaenia?

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