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, medium-sized heron characterized by its black crown, gray plumage, and predominantly nocturnal foraging habits. It is the most widely distributed heron in the world, found on nearly every continent.

What it sounds like

A loud, sudden, and guttural 'quock' or 'kwark,' often heard at dusk or while the bird is in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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

Field notes

The genus name Nycticorax translates to 'night raven,' referring to the bird's nocturnal lifestyle and its harsh, crow-like call.
During the breeding season, adults grow two or three long, white filamentous plumes from the back of their heads.
They are among the few bird species known to use tools or bait, sometimes dropping insects or bread on the water to lure fish.
Juveniles possess a heavily streaked brown plumage for camouflage, which takes three years to transition into the distinctive black and gray adult coloration.
Despite their name, they may forage during the day during the breeding season when the food demands of their chicks are highest.

Habitat

Freshwater and saltwater wetlands, including marshes, swamps, tidal flats, and pond edges.

Range

Cosmopolitan distribution, found 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?

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