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

Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra

A medium-sized, slate-black waterbird of the rail family characterized by a distinctive white bill and frontal shield.

What it sounds like

Sharp, explosive 'kowk' or 'tewk' notes and various metallic, clicking sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Mark James Pearson · United KingdomCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Instead of webbed feet, they possess large, lobed scales on their toes that aid in swimming and walking over soft mud.
To take flight from the water, they must perform a long, running start across the surface while flapping their wings vigorously.
Chicks are born with striking, bright orange-red plumage on their heads and necks, which fades as they mature.
They are highly territorial and engage in 'splattering' fights, where they sit back and strike at rivals with their powerful feet.
They are opportunistic omnivores and frequently engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing food from ducks and other waterbirds.

Habitat

Freshwater lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and slow-flowing rivers with emergent vegetation.

Range

Widespread across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American CootFulica americana Giant CootFulica gigantea Hawaiian CootFulica alai Horned CootFulica cornuta Mascarene CootFulica newtonii Red-fronted CootFulica rufifrons Red-gartered CootFulica armillata Red-knobbed CootFulica cristata

Heard a Eurasian Coot?

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