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-crowned Night-Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

A stocky, thick-necked heron with a distinctive hunched posture, primarily active during twilight and nighttime hours. Adults are characterized by their black crown and back contrasting with pale grey wings and white underparts.

What it sounds like

A loud, sudden, and harsh 'quock' or 'woc' bark, often heard at dusk.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:24

Rec. Joost van Bruggen · NetherlandsCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

They possess long, white head plumes that are used during courtship displays to signal social status.
Young night-herons often gorge themselves and then disgorge their stomach contents if disturbed to startle predators.
Unlike many other herons, they are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, avoiding competition with day-hunting species.
They are known to use 'bait', such as twigs or insects, to lure fish within striking distance.
Juveniles are heavily streaked with brown and tan, looking remarkably different from the sleek, tri-colored adults.

Habitat

Freshwater and saltwater wetlands, marshes, swamps, and wooded streams.

Range

Global distribution across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ascension Night HeronNycticorax olsoni Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax Mauritius Night HeronNycticorax mauritianus Nankeen Night HeronNycticorax caledonicus Reunion Night HeronNycticorax duboisi Rodrigues Night HeronNycticorax megacephalus

Heard a Black-crowned Night-Heron?

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