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

Ashy Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates homochroa

A small, globally rare seabird characterized by its uniform smoky-gray plumage and fluttering flight over the California Current.

What it sounds like

A rapid, rhythmic, and raspy chattering or 'wick-er, wick-er' sound, primarily heard from within nesting burrows at night.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 2:17

Rec. Matthew L. Brady · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is nearly endemic to the islands off the coast of California and Baja California, with the largest colonies found on the Farallon and Channel Islands.
Unlike most other storm-petrels, this species lacks a white rump patch, appearing entirely dark gray-brown with a pale carpal bar.
To avoid predation by Western Gulls and Peregrine Falcons, it is strictly nocturnal when visiting its nesting crevices.
It is exceptionally long-lived for its small body size, with some individuals documented reaching over 30 years of age.
The species utilizes a 'bet-hedging' reproductive strategy, often foregoing breeding during years of low ocean productivity.

Habitat

Pelagic waters and rocky offshore islands with deep talus slopes or rock crevices for nesting.

Range

Northeastern Pacific Ocean, restricted to the coast from central California to northern Baja California.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ainley's Storm-PetrelHydrobates cheimomnestes Band-rumped Storm-PetrelHydrobates castro Black Storm-PetrelHydrobates melania Cape Verde Storm-PetrelHydrobates jabejabe European Storm-PetrelHydrobates pelagicus Fork-tailed Storm-PetrelHydrobates furcatus Guadalupe Storm-PetrelHydrobates macrodactylus Leach's Storm-PetrelHydrobates leucorhous

Heard a Ashy Storm-Petrel?

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