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 Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

The Eurasian Kestrel is a common, medium-sized bird of prey renowned for its ability to hover stationary in mid-air while hunting. It is a highly adaptable falcon frequently observed in both rural and urban environments across the Old World.

What it sounds like

A sharp, repetitive, and shrill series of 'kee-kee-kee' or 'klee-klee-klee' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Thierry THOMAS · FranceCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is famous for its 'windhovering' technique, flying into the wind to remain stationary while scanning the ground for prey.
The species possesses the ability to see near-ultraviolet light, allowing it to follow the urine trails of voles and other small rodents.
It exhibits sexual dichromatism; adult males have a blue-grey head and tail, while females are overall rufous with dark barring.
Unlike many falcons, it does not build its own nest, instead utilizing cliff ledges, buildings, or the abandoned stick nests of corvids.
Its population is highly sensitive to the multi-year population cycles of its primary prey, the field vole.

Habitat

Open landscapes including grasslands, farmlands, moorlands, and increasingly urban areas with tall structures.

Range

Widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa, ranging from the Atlantic coast to Japan.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African HobbyFalco cuvierii American KestrelFalco sparverius Amur FalconFalco amurensis Aplomado FalconFalco femoralis Australian HobbyFalco longipennis Banded KestrelFalco zoniventris Bat FalconFalco rufigularis Black FalconFalco subniger

Heard a Eurasian Kestrel?

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