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-throated Dipper

Cinclus cinclus

A plump, short-tailed aquatic songbird famous for its unique ability to walk underwater and its characteristic vertical bobbing motion.

What it sounds like

A sharp, metallic 'zit-zit' call and a sweet, wren-like warbling song audible over the sound of rushing water.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:48

Rec. bert de bruin · NorwayCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses high concentrations of hemoglobin to store oxygen, allowing it to stay submerged in freezing water for up to 30 seconds.
The bird uses specialized nasal flaps to prevent water from entering its nostrils while foraging on the riverbed.
It is the only passerine capable of swimming both on the surface and diving deep using its wings like flippers.
Dippers are sensitive to pollution and serve as vital bioindicators for the health of freshwater ecosystems.
They build large, domed moss nests often located behind waterfalls or tucked under bridges directly over rushing water.

Habitat

Fast-flowing, unpolluted stony rivers and mountain streams with high oxygen content.

Range

Widespread across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Central and Western Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American DipperCinclus mexicanus Brown DipperCinclus pallasii Rufous-throated DipperCinclus schulzii Rufous-throated DipperCinclus schulzii White-capped DipperCinclus leucocephalus

Heard a White-throated Dipper?

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