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 Snipe

Gallinago gallinago

A medium-sized, cryptically colored wading bird famous for its exceptionally long bill and elusive zig-zagging flight pattern.

What it sounds like

A sharp, raspy 'scape' when flushed; breeding males produce a rhythmic 'chip-per' and a vibrating tail-feather 'drum'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Christian Bøggild · DenmarkCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The distal end of its bill is flexible and sensitive, allowing it to feel and grip prey while probing deep in soft mud.
During breeding displays, males produce a 'drumming' or 'bleating' sound by vibrating specialized outer tail feathers during high-speed dives.
The term 'sniper' originated in the 18th century to describe hunters skilled enough to shoot this notoriously difficult and erratic bird.
Its eyes are positioned far back on the head, providing a nearly 360-degree field of vision to detect predators while the bird is feeding.
Common Snipes are highly migratory, with some individuals traveling from northern Europe to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter.

Habitat

Marshlands, bogs, wet meadows, and the vegetated edges of freshwater lakes and streams.

Range

Widespread across Eurasia; breeds in northern regions and winters in southern Europe, Africa, and South Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African SnipeGallinago nigripennis Fuegian SnipeGallinago stricklandii Giant SnipeGallinago undulata Great SnipeGallinago media Imperial SnipeGallinago imperialis Jameson's SnipeGallinago jamesoni Jameson's SnipeGallinago jamesoni Latham's SnipeGallinago hardwickii

Heard a Common Snipe?

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