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

Asian Dowitcher

Limnodromus semipalmatus

A large, elegant shorebird resembling a godwit, distinguished by its rhythmic 'sewing machine' feeding style and deep rufous breeding plumage.

What it sounds like

A soft, muffled 'chowk' or 'kaup', which is significantly quieter and less shrill than its American relatives.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest of the three dowitcher species and closely resembles the Bar-tailed Godwit in size and structure.
The species is identified by its exceptionally long, straight, black bill which is slightly swollen at the tip.
Unlike North American dowitchers, it lacks a prominent white V-shape on the back, showing a dark rump in flight.
Breeding populations are highly localized in the grassy steppes of Siberia, Mongolia, and northern China.
It is currently listed as Near Threatened primarily due to the loss of critical stopover sites in the Yellow Sea.

Habitat

Grassy inland wetlands for breeding; coastal mudflats, estuaries, and saltworks during migration and winter.

Range

Breeds in Central and East Asia; migrates along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceus Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseus

Heard a Asian Dowitcher?

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