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-rumped Cacique

Cacicus cela

The Yellow-rumped Cacique is a gregarious, striking icterid known for its vibrant yellow-and-black plumage and elaborate pendulous nesting colonies.

What it sounds like

A highly complex and loud medley of liquid gurgles, harsh squawks, whistles, and clicks, often integrated with expert mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Manuel Sánchez-Nivicela · EcuadorCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

They frequently build their colonial nests near active wasp nests to utilize the insects as a defense against predatory monkeys.
The species is a prolific mimic, capable of accurately imitating the calls of dozens of other bird species and even mammals.
Females are solely responsible for weaving the long, bag-like nests, which can measure up to 60 centimeters in length.
Males exhibit significant sexual dimorphism, being roughly 20 percent larger and twice as heavy as females.
The distinctive pale blue iris of the adult provides a sharp, diagnostic contrast against its black head feathers.

Habitat

Lowland rainforest edges, gallery forests, and clearings, usually near water or human settlements.

Range

Northern and central South America, from Panama and Trinidad south to the Amazon Basin and northern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Band-tailed CaciqueCacicus latirostris Casqued CaciqueCacicus oseryi Ecuadorian CaciqueCacicus sclateri Golden-winged CaciqueCacicus chrysopterus Mountain CaciqueCacicus chrysonotus Red-rumped CaciqueCacicus haemorrhous Scarlet-rumped CaciqueCacicus uropygialis Selva CaciqueCacicus koepckeae

Heard a Yellow-rumped Cacique?

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