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

Brant

Branta bernicla

A small, dark sea goose specialized for life in coastal environments, known for its incredible long-distance migrations and reliance on marine vegetation.

What it sounds like

A low, guttural, and rolling 'rruk-rruk' or 'crrk' sound, lacking the loud 'honk' of larger goose species.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:35

Rec. Michael John O Mahony · IrelandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is divided into three distinct subspecies based on plumage: the Dark-bellied, Pale-bellied, and Black Brant.
They are highly specialized feeders, relying almost exclusively on eelgrass and sea lettuce during the winter months.
Unlike most other geese, Brants rarely forage in agricultural fields, preferring intertidal mudflats and salt marshes.
During migration, some populations perform non-stop transoceanic flights covering over 3,000 miles.
Adults possess a distinctive white 'necklace' or crescent on their black necks, which is absent in juveniles.

Habitat

Coastal estuaries, salt marshes, and shallow marine bays with abundant eelgrass beds.

Range

Breeds in the high Arctic tundra; winters along the temperate coastlines of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsii Canada GooseBranta canadensis Hawaiian GooseBranta sandvicensis Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollis

Heard a Brant?

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