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 Stork

Ciconia nigra

A large, elusive wading bird characterized by its iridescent black plumage and striking red bill and legs, known for its solitary and reclusive nature.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent; produces a hoarse, wheezing 'che-lee' or 'che-vui' and rhythmic bill-clattering at the nest site.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Francesco Sottile · ItalyCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike the White Stork, this species is highly stenotopic, avoiding human settlements in favor of deep, undisturbed forests.
The black feathers possess a structural iridescence that reflects vivid green, purple, and copper tones in direct sunlight.
It is a highly migratory species, with Palearctic populations crossing the Sahara or the Himalayas to reach wintering grounds.
Courtship involves spectacular aerial displays and a unique 'swaying' movement of the white undertail coverts.
Their diet is primarily piscivorous, focusing on small fish and amphibians caught in shallow, shaded forest streams.

Habitat

Mature, undisturbed broadleaf or coniferous forests with access to secluded wetlands, rivers, or marshy pools.

Range

Widespread across Eurasia from Spain to Eastern China, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abdim's StorkCiconia abdimii African Woolly-necked StorkCiconia microscelis Asian Woolly-necked StorkCiconia episcopus Maguari StorkCiconia maguari Oriental StorkCiconia boyciana Storm's StorkCiconia stormi White StorkCiconia ciconia

Heard a Black Stork?

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