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

Ascension Night Heron

Nycticorax olsoni

An extinct, flight-reduced heron endemic to Ascension Island, adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle before its disappearance following the introduction of invasive predators.

What it sounds like

Unknown, but likely a deep, guttural 'quock' or croak similar to extant Nycticorax species.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was described as a new species in 2003 based on subfossil remains discovered in caves and guano deposits.
The species evolved stouter legs and shorter wings compared to its ancestor, the Black-crowned Night Heron, indicating a shift toward ground-dwelling.
Historical accounts from 1656 by traveler Peter Mundy describe 'grey and white' birds that likely refer to this species.
It occupied an apex predator niche on the island, likely preying on land crabs and the chicks of nesting seabirds.
Its extinction occurred between the 16th and 19th centuries, primarily due to predation by introduced feral cats and rats.

Habitat

Coastal cliffs, volcanic plains, and seabird colonies.

Range

Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-HeronNycticorax nycticorax Mauritius Night HeronNycticorax mauritianus Nankeen Night HeronNycticorax caledonicus Reunion Night HeronNycticorax duboisi Rodrigues Night HeronNycticorax megacephalus

Heard a Ascension Night Heron?

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