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

Chuck-will's-widow

Antrostomus carolinensis

The largest nightjar in North America, the Chuck-will's-widow is a nocturnal insectivore celebrated for its cryptic plumage and repetitive namesake call. It is a master of camouflage, remaining nearly invisible against the forest floor during daylight hours.

What it sounds like

A loud, rhythmic whistle chanting 'chuck-will's-widow,' where the initial 'chuck' is soft and often only audible at close range.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:43

Rec. Sue Riffe · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is significantly larger than the Whip-poor-will, possessing a massive gape that allows it to occasionally swallow small birds and bats.
The species does not build a nest; it lays its camouflaged eggs directly on the leaf litter of the forest floor.
Its mouth is lined with specialized rictal bristles that act like a funnel to help capture large flying insects such as moths and beetles.
When threatened on the nest, adults may perform a distraction display or even move their eggs to a different location by carrying them in their mouths.
During the day, it typically roosts longitudinally along a thick branch or on the ground to minimize its shadow and enhance its concealment.

Habitat

Dry deciduous and mixed pine-oak forests, open woodlands, and coastal scrub.

Range

Breeds across the Southeastern United States; migrates to Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America for winter.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Buff-collared NightjarAntrostomus ridgwayi Cuban NightjarAntrostomus cubanensis Dusky NightjarAntrostomus saturatus Eastern Whip-poor-willAntrostomus vociferus Hispaniolan NightjarAntrostomus ekmani Mexican Whip-poor-willAntrostomus arizonae Puerto Rican NightjarAntrostomus noctitherus Puerto Rican NightjarAntrostomus noctitherus

Heard a Chuck-will's-widow?

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Identify a bird by its song