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

Arctic Loon

Gavia arctica

The Arctic Loon, also known as the Black-throated Diver, is a sleek aquatic bird characterized by its silver-grey crown and striking black throat patch during the breeding season.

What it sounds like

A haunting, rhythmic series of melodic wails, yodels, and guttural croaks, often featuring a rising 'looo-ee-koo' tone.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Dag Österlund · SwedenCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is nearly unable to walk on land because its legs are positioned far back on its body for maximum swimming efficiency.
The species requires a long 'runway' of open water to take flight due to its high wing loading and heavy skeletal structure.
Unlike most birds, its bones are relatively solid, which acts as ballast to assist in deep-water diving.
It is often distinguished from the similar Pacific Loon by a prominent white patch on its rear flanks while swimming.
Parents frequently carry chicks on their backs to protect them from underwater predators and to help regulate their body temperature.

Habitat

Deep, clear freshwater lakes for breeding; coastal marine waters and sheltered bays during the winter.

Range

Northern Eurasia (Palearctic), wintering along the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common LoonGavia immer Pacific LoonGavia pacifica Red-throated LoonGavia stellata Yellow-billed LoonGavia adamsii

Heard a Arctic Loon?

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