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

Eskimo Curlew

Numenius borealis

The Eskimo Curlew is a small, critically endangered shorebird once famous for its vast migratory flocks that darkened the skies before being hunted to near-extinction.

What it sounds like

Described as a soft, rippling whistle or a melodic 'bee-bee' sound.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

Once so abundant they were nicknamed 'prairie pigeons,' millions were killed by market hunters in the late 19th century.
The species utilized an elliptical migration route, traveling north through the Great Plains and returning south via the Atlantic coast.
A primary food source during spring migration was the egg pods of the now-extinct Rocky Mountain locust.
Distinguished from the similar Whimbrel by its smaller size, shorter bill, and unbarred cinnamon-colored underwing coverts.
The last universally accepted sighting occurred in 1963, though it is still officially listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).

Habitat

Arctic tundra for nesting; pampas and maritime grasslands for wintering.

Range

Breeding in the western Canadian Arctic; wintering in southern South America, primarily Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bristle-thighed CurlewNumenius tahitiensis Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquata Eurasian WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus Far Eastern CurlewNumenius madagascariensis Hudsonian WhimbrelNumenius hudsonicus Little CurlewNumenius minutus Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanus Slender-billed CurlewNumenius tenuirostris

Heard a Eskimo Curlew?

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