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

Australian Crake

Porzana fluminea

The Australian Crake is a small, slate-grey waterbird endemic to Australia, recognized by its distinctive white undertail and bold barring on the flanks.

What it sounds like

A rapid, metallic 'kek-kek-kek' or a sharp 'chi-chi-chi-vreet' often heard at dawn and dusk.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:46

Rec. Richard Boon · AustraliaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is uniquely endemic to Australia, whereas most other local crakes have wider international distributions.
Unlike its more secretive relatives, this species frequently ventures onto open mudflats to forage during the day.
The bird constantly flicks its tail while walking, revealing bright white undertail coverts used for social signaling.
It possesses long, slender toes that allow it to walk easily over floating aquatic vegetation and soft mud.
During dry periods, these birds are known to be highly nomadic, traveling long distances to find permanent water sources.

Habitat

Freshwater and brackish wetlands, lignum swamps, saltmarshes, and dense reed beds.

Range

Southern and eastern Australia, including Tasmania, with nomadic movements into the arid interior.

Similar & commonly confused birds

SoraPorzana carolina Spotted CrakePorzana porzana

Heard a Australian Crake?

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