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

Clark's Grebe

Aechmophorus clarkii

A large, elegant waterbird known for its swan-like neck, striking black-and-white plumage, and elaborate synchronized courtship displays. It is closely related to the Western Grebe but distinguished by its brighter bill and facial markings.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, single-syllable 'kreeet' call, distinct from the two-syllable 'kree-creet' of the Western Grebe.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:31

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

Field notes

Identified by white plumage that surrounds the eye, whereas the Western Grebe has black feathers extending below the eye.
Performs a spectacular 'rushing' display where pairs sprint across the water's surface in a synchronized, upright posture.
Intentionally ingests its own feathers to create a protective plug in its stomach that filters out sharp fish bones.
Chicks are precocial and are frequently carried on the backs of their parents to provide warmth and protection from predators.
The bill is a vibrant orange-yellow, which is more saturated and brighter than the duller greenish-yellow bill of its Western counterpart.

Habitat

Large freshwater lakes and marshes with emergent vegetation for breeding; coastal bays and estuaries during the winter.

Range

Western North America, from south-central Canada through the western United States to central Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Western GrebeAechmophorus occidentalis

Heard a Clark's Grebe?

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