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

Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus

A medium-sized, ground-dwelling grouse known for its remarkable seasonal camouflage and status as the state bird of Alaska.

What it sounds like

A deep, raucous, and rhythmic 'goback, goback, goback' or a dry, rattling laugh.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:52

Rec. Marc Anderson · SwedenCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It undergoes a complete plumage transformation from mottled reddish-brown in summer to nearly pure white in winter for year-round camouflage.
The species possesses dense feathers on its toes that act as natural snowshoes, increasing surface area to walk on soft drifts.
Unlike most other grouse species, the male Willow Ptarmigan is monogamous and stays to help protect the brood from predators.
During winter, it survives primarily on willow buds and twigs, utilizing a specialized large cecum to ferment and digest woody material.
They frequently sleep in 'snow burrows,' diving into soft snow banks to utilize the snow's insulating properties against sub-zero temperatures.

Habitat

Arctic tundra, subarctic willow thickets, muskegs, and montane shrublands.

Range

Circumpolar distribution across northern North America, Scandinavia, and Siberia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Red GrouseLagopus scotica Rock PtarmiganLagopus muta White-tailed PtarmiganLagopus leucura

Heard a Willow Ptarmigan?

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