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-eared Ground-Sparrow

Melozone leucotis

A large, boldly marked sparrow of Central American highlands, easily identified by its white ear patch and rufous crown.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, thin 'tsip' calls and a song consisting of a varied, accelerating series of whistles and sharp chirps.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:16

Rec. Brendan Sloan · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It features a distinctive white patch on its ear coverts and a bright yellow patch on the side of its neck.
It primarily forages on the ground, using a 'double-scratch' technique to uncover insects and seeds in leaf litter.
The species is frequently observed in shade-grown coffee plantations, which serve as an important secondary habitat.
It is a shy and secretive bird, often heard scratching in dense undergrowth long before it is spotted.
The species is non-migratory and typically occupies an elevational range between 500 and 2,000 meters.

Habitat

Dense undergrowth, scrubby forest edges, and humid montane thickets.

Range

Southern Mexico through Guatemala and El Salvador to central Costa Rica.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abert's TowheeMelozone aberti Cabanis's Ground-SparrowMelozone cabanisi California TowheeMelozone crissalis Canyon TowheeMelozone fusca Gray-crowned Ground-SparrowMelozone occipitalis Rusty-crowned Ground-SparrowMelozone kieneri Rusty-crowned Ground-SparrowMelozone kieneri White-faced Ground-SparrowMelozone biarcuata

Heard a White-eared Ground-Sparrow?

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