Last updated: 28 July 2026
Songbird identifies birds from their songs and calls using a machine learning model that runs on your device, and keeps a record of what you have heard.
No sound identifier is always right. Songbird can be confused by overlapping songs, background noise, mimicking species and calls it has never heard well. The model's scores are not calibrated probabilities, which is why the app tells you how many times it heard something rather than pretending to a percentage. Do not rely on Songbird for scientific records, legal or regulatory purposes, or any decision where being wrong matters. Always confirm an unusual bird yourself.
Songbird includes a number of free identifications each day. Songbird Pro is an auto-renewing subscription that removes that limit and unlocks the written species notes. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. It renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and you can manage or cancel it in your Apple ID settings at any time.
Your life list belongs to you. It is stored on your device and can be exported as CSV whenever you like.
Do not use Songbird to disturb wildlife. Playing recordings back to attract birds is harmful during breeding season and is illegal in some places; Songbird's reference recordings are there to help you compare what you heard, not to lure birds.
The Perch model is used under the Apache License 2.0. Species photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under their respective Creative Commons licences and are credited in the app. Taxonomy from eBird/Clements; distribution data from GBIF.
Songbird is provided "as is", without warranties of any kind. To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any loss arising from its use.
Use of the app is also governed by Apple's Licensed Application End User License Agreement.