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

Aztec Rail

Rallus tenuirostris

A large, secretive marsh bird endemic to the central Mexican highlands, formerly classified as a subspecies of the King Rail.

What it sounds like

A series of dry, rhythmic 'kek-kek-kek' notes that typically increase in speed and intensity.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:02

Rec. Frank Lambert · MexicoCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically considered a subspecies of the King Rail until genetic and vocal studies justified its status as a distinct species.
Unlike many other rail species, the Aztec Rail is non-migratory and stays in its high-altitude habitat year-round.
It is currently listed as Near Threatened due to the ongoing drainage and pollution of its specialized wetland habitats.
The bird is primarily crepuscular, being most active and vocal during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk.
Its long, slender bill is slightly decurved, allowing it to probe deep into mud for crayfish, aquatic insects, and small fish.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes and reed beds dominated by Typha and Scirpus species.

Range

High-elevation wetlands of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Mexican Plateau.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African RailRallus caerulescens Austral RailRallus antarcticus Bogota RailRallus semiplumbeus Brown-cheeked RailRallus indicus Clapper RailRallus crepitans Ecuadorian RailRallus aequatorialis King RailRallus elegans Madagascar RailRallus madagascariensis

Heard a Aztec Rail?

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Identify a bird by its song