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

Dovekie

Alle alle

The Dovekie is a diminutive, starling-sized alcid of the high Arctic, recognized as the smallest and most abundant seabird in the North Atlantic.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, shrill, and rhythmic chattering or laughing 'kvee-ke-ke-ke' heard mainly at colonies.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:16

Rec. Jacob Lotz · NorwayCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses a specialized sublingual pouch used to transport large quantities of planktonic copepods to its chicks.
Unlike many other alcids, Dovekies nest in deep crevices within rock talus and scree slopes rather than on open ledges.
During winter storms, they are prone to 'wrecks' where strong winds blow large numbers of birds far inland.
Their flight is characterized by extremely rapid, whirring wingbeats, giving them the appearance of a 'flying potato'.
They are key indicator species for Arctic climate change due to their total reliance on cold-water zooplankton.

Habitat

Open pelagic waters and rocky Arctic coastal talus slopes.

Range

Breeds in the high Arctic (Greenland, Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya); winters south to the North Atlantic coast.

Heard a Dovekie?

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