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

Chinstrap Penguin

Pygoscelis antarcticus

A medium-sized penguin easily recognized by the narrow black band running under its chin, known for its bold temperament and massive breeding colonies.

What it sounds like

A harsh, loud, rhythmic cackling or braying sound used for individual recognition.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:28

Rec. Craig Robertson · AntarcticaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They are widely considered the most aggressive penguin species, frequently engaging in territorial disputes.
Zavodovski Island in the South Sandwich Islands hosts the largest colony, with over one million breeding pairs.
Nests are constructed from meticulously collected stones, which are often stolen from neighboring pairs.
They are proficient divers, capable of reaching depths of 70 meters to forage primarily for Antarctic krill.
Both parents share incubation and brooding duties in alternating shifts that typically last five to ten days.

Habitat

Rocky, ice-free coastal slopes and volcanic islands.

Range

Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands, with major populations in the South Sandwich and South Shetland Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Adelie PenguinPygoscelis adeliae Gentoo PenguinPygoscelis papua

Heard a Chinstrap Penguin?

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