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

Eastern Whip-poor-will

Antrostomus vociferus

A nocturnal nightjar of the eastern forests, more frequently heard than seen due to its exceptional leaf-litter camouflage.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, and rhythmic three-syllable whistle 'whip-poor-WILL' repeated rapidly at night.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Valerie Heemstra · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Synchronizes its nesting cycle with the phases of the moon so that moonlight is available for foraging during the peak of chick feeding.
Lays its eggs directly on the forest floor among dead leaves rather than building a traditional nest.
Possesses long, specialized feathers called rictal bristles around the mouth to help funnel insects and protect the eyes during flight.
Is capable of entering a state of torpor to conserve energy when temperatures drop or food is scarce.
Its cryptic plumage mimics tree bark and dead leaves so effectively that it is nearly invisible while roosting during the day.

Habitat

Dry deciduous or mixed forests with open understories, typically adjacent to clearings.

Range

Breeds in the Eastern United States and Southern Canada; winters in the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and Central America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Buff-collared NightjarAntrostomus ridgwayi Chuck-will's-widowAntrostomus carolinensis Cuban NightjarAntrostomus cubanensis Dusky NightjarAntrostomus saturatus Hispaniolan NightjarAntrostomus ekmani Mexican Whip-poor-willAntrostomus arizonae Puerto Rican NightjarAntrostomus noctitherus Puerto Rican NightjarAntrostomus noctitherus

Heard a Eastern Whip-poor-will?

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