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

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

A large, iconic coastal waterbird characterized by its massive bill, expandable throat pouch, and spectacular plunge-diving hunting technique.

What it sounds like

Adults are mostly silent but may emit low, guttural grunts; nestlings are vocal and produce shrill, begging squeals.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Isain Contreras Rodríguez · MexicoCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of only two pelican species that captures prey by diving into the water from heights of up to 60 feet.
The expandable gular pouch can hold up to three gallons of water, roughly three times the volume of the bird's stomach.
Extensive air sacs located beneath the skin cushion the impact of high-velocity dives and provide immediate buoyancy.
The species nearly went extinct in the mid-20th century due to eggshell thinning caused by the pesticide DDT.
After a successful dive, the bird must tilt its bill downward to drain water from its pouch before swallowing the fish.

Habitat

Exclusively marine coastal environments, including sandy beaches, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and piers.

Range

Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts of the Americas, from the southern United States to northern South America and the Galápagos.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American White PelicanPelecanus erythrorhynchos Australian PelicanPelecanus conspicillatus Dalmatian PelicanPelecanus crispus Great White PelicanPelecanus onocrotalus Peruvian PelicanPelecanus thagus Pink-backed PelicanPelecanus rufescens Spot-billed PelicanPelecanus philippensis

Heard a Brown Pelican?

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