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 Rail

Laterallus jamaicensis

The smallest rail in North America, the Black Rail is a secretive, mouse-sized marsh bird characterized by its dark charcoal plumage and striking red eyes.

What it sounds like

A distinctive, rhythmic 'ki-ki-kerr' or 'kickee-doo' frequently heard at night.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Paul Lenrumé · French GuianaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is highly elusive and rarely takes flight, instead navigating dense vegetation with a rodent-like gait.
The species has a specialized 'high marsh' requirement, typically inhabiting areas with water depths of less than 3 centimeters.
Its plumage features a distinctive chestnut-colored nape and fine white speckling across the back and wings.
Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, this species is most active and vocal under the cover of darkness.
It is listed as federally threatened in the United States, facing severe risks from sea-level rise and habitat fragmentation.

Habitat

High-elevation zones of salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes with dense emergent vegetation.

Range

Fragmented populations along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, inland California, and parts of Central and South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Dot-winged CrakeLaterallus spiloptera Galapagos RailLaterallus spilonota Gray-breasted CrakeLaterallus exilis Inaccessible Island RailLaterallus rogersi Ruddy CrakeLaterallus ruber Rufous-sided CrakeLaterallus melanophaius Rusty-flanked CrakeLaterallus levraudi Rusty-flanked CrakeLaterallus levraudi

Heard a Black Rail?

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