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

Christmas Island Frigatebird

Fregata andrewsi

The Christmas Island Frigatebird is a large, critically endangered seabird known for its striking silhouette and the male's vibrant red inflatable throat pouch. It is the rarest frigatebird species, nesting exclusively on its namesake island in the Indian Ocean.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent at sea; displays include various rattles, drums, and high-pitched whinnies during courtship.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:56

Rec. Frank Lambert · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest of the five frigatebird species, with a wingspan that can reach up to 2.5 meters.
Males possess a massive, inflatable red gular pouch used to attract mates through drumming and rhythmic displays.
Despite being a seabird, its feathers are not waterproof, so it must snatch prey from the surface without landing on the water.
The species is a notorious kleptoparasite, frequently harassing other birds like boobies to steal their food in mid-air.
It has an exceptionally low reproductive rate, with a single breeding cycle taking approximately 15 to 18 months.

Habitat

Tall tropical rainforest canopies for nesting and open marine pelagic waters for foraging.

Range

Breeds only on Christmas Island (Australia); ranges across the Indo-Pacific to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ascension FrigatebirdFregata aquila Great FrigatebirdFregata minor Lesser FrigatebirdFregata ariel Magnificent FrigatebirdFregata magnificens

Heard a Christmas Island Frigatebird?

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