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

Caspian Gull

Larus cachinnans

A large, elegant white-headed gull of the Ponto-Caspian region, distinguished by its slender profile, long legs, and characteristic pear-shaped head.

What it sounds like

A deep, melodic, and somewhat nasal 'laughing' long-call, generally lower-pitched and more rhythmic than the Herring Gull.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Alan Dalton · SwedenCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Displays a unique 'albatross-like' posture with a long neck and a flattened forehead profile.
First-winter plumages are notably paler than Herring Gulls, often showing a starkly white head and underparts.
The bill is elongated and lacks a pronounced gonys angle, appearing more parallel-edged than its relatives.
During the 'long-call' display, individuals typically throw their heads back and then perform a deep, exaggerated bow.
Originally considered a subspecies of the Herring Gull, it is now recognized as a distinct species within the 'large white-headed gull' complex.

Habitat

Coastal lagoons, steppe lakes, and large rivers; frequently utilizes landfills and agricultural fields during winter.

Range

Breeds from the Black and Caspian Seas east to Central Asia; winters across Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus Armenian GullLarus armenicus Belcher's GullLarus belcheri Black-tailed GullLarus crassirostris California GullLarus californicus Common GullLarus canus European Herring GullLarus argentatus Glaucous GullLarus hyperboreus

Heard a Caspian Gull?

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