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

Yellow-billed Magpie

Pica nuttalli

The Yellow-billed Magpie is a large, striking corvid endemic to California, distinguished from the more widespread Black-billed Magpie by its bright yellow bill and yellow orbital skin.

What it sounds like

A series of harsh, nasal 'yak-yak-yak' notes or a rising, inquisitive 'quay-quay?'

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Paul Marvin · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only bird species entirely endemic to the state of California.
The species is highly susceptible to West Nile Virus, which caused a population decline of nearly 50% in the early 2000s.
They exhibit complex social behaviors, including 'funerals' where birds gather silently around a deceased flock mate.
During the breeding season, they construct massive, domed stick nests that can reach three feet in diameter.
To cope with high summer temperatures, they spend much of the day in the shade of oak canopies and pant to dissipate heat.

Habitat

Oak savannas, riparian woodlands, and agricultural areas with scattered large trees.

Range

California's Central Valley, southern Coast Ranges, and adjacent foothills.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Asir MagpiePica asirensis Black-billed MagpiePica hudsonia Black-rumped MagpiePica bottanensis Eurasian MagpiePica pica Maghreb MagpiePica mauritanica Oriental MagpiePica serica

Heard a Yellow-billed Magpie?

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