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

Antillean Palm Swift

Tachornis phoenicobia

A diminutive, highly aerial swift of the Greater Antilles, characterized by its rapid, bat-like flight and strong association with palm trees for nesting.

What it sounds like

A series of rapid, high-pitched buzzy chips and twittering notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:40

Rec. Jesse Fagan · Dominican RepublicCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

One of the smallest swifts in the Caribbean, measuring approximately 9 to 10 centimeters in total length.
It constructs a tubular nest of plant down and feathers glued with saliva, typically hidden within hanging dead palm fronds.
Distinguished by a prominent white rump and white flank patches that contrast sharply with its dark, sooty plumage.
Highly gregarious throughout the year, frequently foraging in large, noisy flocks over open terrain or water.
Its flight style is notably flickering and erratic, often occurring at lower altitudes than larger sympatric swift species.

Habitat

Open lowlands, savannas, and urban areas specifically where tall palms are present.

Range

The Greater Antilles, including Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Fork-tailed Palm SwiftTachornis squamata Pygmy Palm SwiftTachornis furcata Pygmy Palm SwiftTachornis furcata

Heard a Antillean Palm Swift?

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