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 Grosbeak

Pheucticus chrysopeplus

The Yellow Grosbeak is a large, striking songbird known for the male's brilliant golden plumage and its massive, seed-crushing bill.

What it sounds like

A series of rich, liquid, whistled phrases similar to an American Robin but slower and more deliberate; the typical call is a sharp, metallic 'ik' or 'pik'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:52

Rec. Manuel Grosselet · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest member of the genus Pheucticus, reaching lengths of up to 24 centimeters.
The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism; males are bright golden-yellow while females are duller olive-yellow with heavy streaking on the back.
Its massive, conical, slate-gray bill is specialized for cracking tough seeds and consuming large tropical fruits.
Though primarily a Mexican resident, it is a rare and highly prized summer vagrant to the wooded canyons of southeastern Arizona.
Nesting typically occurs in the mid-to-upper canopy, where they build a cup-shaped nest of twigs and rootlets.

Habitat

Tropical deciduous forests, thorn forests, and montane riparian woodlands.

Range

The Pacific slope of Mexico and Guatemala, occasionally wandering into the Southwestern United States.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-backed GrosbeakPheucticus aureoventris Black-headed GrosbeakPheucticus melanocephalus Black-thighed GrosbeakPheucticus tibialis Golden GrosbeakPheucticus chrysogaster Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus

Heard a Yellow Grosbeak?

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