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 Turnstone

Arenaria melanocephala

A stocky, dark shorebird of the Pacific coast known for its habit of flipping stones to uncover prey. It displays a striking black-and-white pattern when in flight.

What it sounds like

A rapid, high-pitched, rattling chatter or a sharp, metallic 'skirrr' call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. Anthony Gliozzo · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is endemic to the Pacific coast of North America, breeding exclusively in western and northern Alaska.
Its wedge-shaped bill is specialized for prying limpets off rocks and flipping heavy debris to find invertebrates.
Unlike the related Ruddy Turnstone, it lacks rufous coloration, maintaining a soot-black appearance in its breeding plumage.
They are highly territorial during the nesting season and will aggressively dive-bomb predators like gulls or jaegers.
In winter, they are often found foraging on wave-swept rocky shores in the company of Surfbirds and Black Oystercatchers.

Habitat

Rocky intertidal zones, jetties, and coastal tundra salt marshes.

Range

Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to Baja California.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpres

Heard a Black Turnstone?

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