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-winged Stilt

Himantopus himantopus

A striking, elegant wader distinguished by its stark black-and-white plumage and disproportionately long, bright pink legs.

What it sounds like

A loud, persistent, and rhythmic yapping 'kek-kek-kek-kek'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:19

Rec. Peter Boesman · ChinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses the longest legs relative to body size of any bird species.
Lacks a hind toe (hallux), an evolutionary adaptation for walking on soft, silty substrates.
Known for highly aggressive communal defense, frequently mobbing potential predators near nesting sites.
Nests in loose colonies, often constructing mounds of vegetation in shallow water or on mudflats.
Its taxonomy is part of a complex superspecies group that includes the American Black-necked Stilt.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater, brackish or saltwater wetlands, salt pans, and coastal lagoons.

Range

Widespread throughout Europe, Africa, Southern Asia, and Australasia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black StiltHimantopus novaezelandiae Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus Pied StiltHimantopus leucocephalus

Heard a Black-winged Stilt?

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