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-tailed Gull

Larus crassirostris

A medium-sized East Asian gull distinguished by a prominent black tail band and a uniquely patterned red-and-black bill tip. It is famously known as the 'sea cat' in Japan due to its feline-like vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A loud, plaintive, and nasal 'mew' that closely mimics the sound of a domestic cat.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is named 'Umineko' in Japan, which translates to 'sea cat,' referring to its distinctive meowing call.
Adults possess a bright yellow bill with a black subterminal ring and a vivid red tip.
Unlike many similar gulls, it retains a thick black band near the end of its white tail throughout its adult life.
It is a highly social nester, forming massive breeding colonies on rocky islands that can exceed 40,000 individuals.
The species is a common follower of fishing boats, often scavenging offal and small fish stirred up by maritime activity.

Habitat

Rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, estuaries, and offshore islands.

Range

East Asia, spanning the coasts of Russia, Japan, Korea, and China.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus Armenian GullLarus armenicus Belcher's GullLarus belcheri California GullLarus californicus Caspian GullLarus cachinnans Common GullLarus canus European Herring GullLarus argentatus Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreus

Heard a Black-tailed Gull?

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