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

Andean Swift

Aeronautes andecolus

A specialized high-altitude swift of the Andes, characterized by its contrasting black-and-white plumage and exceptional aerial agility.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, rapid, and shrill chattering or twittering notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Richard E. Webster · BoliviaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only South American member of the genus Aeronautes, which includes the closely related White-throated Swift of North America.
The species is known for its distinctive white 'saddlebags'—conspicuous white patches on the flanks and sides of the rump.
It nests and roosts almost exclusively on vertical cliff faces or within deep, narrow rock crevices in high-mountain canyons.
The Andean Swift has a deeply forked tail, though it often holds it tightly closed, making it look long and pointed in flight.
Individuals are capable of foraging at extreme altitudes, frequently reaching elevations of up to 4,000 meters above sea level.

Habitat

Arid to semi-arid montane valleys, rocky canyons, and high-altitude scrublands.

Range

The Andes mountains of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

White-throated SwiftAeronautes saxatalis White-tipped SwiftAeronautes montivagus

Heard a Andean Swift?

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