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

Corn Crake

Crex crex

A medium-sized, secretive rail with cryptic tawny plumage, renowned for its loud mechanical call and preference for tall meadow grasses.

What it sounds like

A persistent, rhythmic, two-note rasping 'crex-crex' resembling a credit card being scraped over a comb.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 6:55

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

Field notes

The scientific name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the male's harsh, rhythmic advertisement call.
Unlike most rails, this species avoids wetlands in favor of dry or seasonally damp grasslands and hayfields.
It is a long-distance migrant, traveling up to 10,000 kilometers to winter in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Populations declined historically due to mechanized farming and early hay harvesting destroying nests.
They are notoriously difficult to flush, preferring to crouch and run through dense cover rather than taking flight.

Habitat

Tall grasslands, traditional hay meadows, and agricultural crops.

Range

Breeds across Europe and Western Asia; winters primarily in Southeastern Africa.

Heard a Corn Crake?

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