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

Chilean Skua

Stercorarius chilensis

A large, powerful predatory seabird of the southern cone, characterized by its distinctive cinnamon-colored underparts and aggressive kleptoparasitic behavior. It is a formidable inhabitant of rugged coastlines, often found near large penguin colonies.

What it sounds like

A harsh, nasal, and repetitive cackling or 'nas-nas-nas' sound, often accompanied by a 'wing-raising' territorial display.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Andrew Spencer · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is uniquely identified among skuas by its rich chestnut or cinnamon-toned belly and underwing coverts.
The species is a notorious kleptoparasite, frequently harassing other seabirds until they regurgitate their prey.
During the breeding season, it heavily predates the eggs and chicks of penguins and cormorants.
They are known to form long-term monogamous pair bonds and exhibit high site fidelity, returning to the same nesting grounds annually.
White patches at the base of the primary feathers create a conspicuous 'flash' visible during its strong, steady flight.

Habitat

Coastal shores, offshore islands, and nutrient-rich pelagic waters near the continental shelf.

Range

Southern South America, breeding from central Chile and Argentina south to Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown SkuaStercorarius antarcticus Great SkuaStercorarius skua Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudus Parasitic JaegerStercorarius parasiticus Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinus South Polar SkuaStercorarius maccormicki

Heard a Chilean Skua?

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