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

Black-collared Swallow

Pygochelidon melanoleuca

A small, elegant swallow of South American riverways, distinguished by its stark white underparts and a bold, black breast band.

What it sounds like

Short, thin, and slightly buzzy 'tsip' or 'zreet' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:32

Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is highly specialized for life near fast-flowing water, frequently perching on boulders and logs amidst rapids.
Nests are typically constructed in rocky crevices or tunnels along riverbanks, often positioned very close to the water level.
It possesses a notably long and deeply forked tail, which aids in high-speed aerial maneuverability over turbulent currents.
Unlike many more gregarious swallow species, it is usually observed in pairs or small family groups rather than large communal flocks.
Its foraging behavior is closely tied to river hydrology, as it hunts for flying insects emerging from or hovering over the water.

Habitat

Rocky rivers, rapids, and waterfalls within tropical lowland forests.

Range

South America, primarily throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins, including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and the Guianas.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Blue-and-white SwallowPygochelidon cyanoleuca

Heard a Black-collared Swallow?

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