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

Common Grackle

Quiscalus quiscula

A large, resourceful blackbird characterized by its iridescent plumage, piercing yellow eyes, and long, keel-shaped tail. They are highly social birds known for congregating in massive multi-species flocks.

What it sounds like

A harsh, mechanical 'readle-eak' that sounds like the screech of a rusty gate hinge.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:45

Rec. David A. Brinkman · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Common Grackles practice 'anting,' rubbing ants on their feathers to use formic acid as a natural pesticide against parasites.
The tail of the male is uniquely shaped like a keel, which it often flares out during flight or courtship displays.
They are opportunistic omnivores known to eat everything from agricultural grain and insects to small fish, frogs, and even other birds.
To assert dominance, males engage in 'bill-up' displays where they point their beaks skyward and fluff their feathers to appear larger.
Despite being considered pests by some, their population has declined by over 50% since the 1960s due to habitat loss and control measures.

Habitat

Open woodlands, suburban lawns, agricultural fields, marshes, and city parks.

Range

Central and Eastern North America, ranging from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast and north into Canada.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Boat-tailed GrackleQuiscalus major Carib GrackleQuiscalus lugubris Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus Greater Antillean GrackleQuiscalus niger Nicaraguan GrackleQuiscalus nicaraguensis Slender-billed GrackleQuiscalus palustris

Heard a Common Grackle?

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