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 Moorhen

Gallinula chloropus

A common, medium-sized rail characterized by slate-black plumage, a striking red frontal shield, and a yellow-tipped bill. It is frequently observed swimming with a rhythmic head-bobbing motion or walking across floating vegetation.

What it sounds like

A variety of loud, gargling croaks and sharp, explosive 'kurr-uk' or 'kek-kek' sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Roger Ahlman · SwedenCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Equipped with exceptionally long, unwebbed toes that allow it to walk easily over unstable surfaces like lily pads and soft mud.
The species is highly territorial during the breeding season, often engaging in aggressive physical disputes over nesting sites.
When swimming or walking, it frequently flicks its tail upward to reveal distinctive white undertail coverts.
Chicks are precocial and can swim almost immediately after hatching, though they rely on parents for warmth and food initially.
The red frontal shield is a social signal; larger and brighter shields often correlate with higher social status and dominance.

Habitat

Vegetated freshwater wetlands, including marshes, ponds, lakes, canals, and slow-moving rivers.

Range

Widespread across the Palearctic, ranging from Europe and North Africa across temperate Asia to Japan and Southeast Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common GallinuleGallinula galeata Dusky MoorhenGallinula tenebrosa Gough MoorhenGallinula comeri Makira MoorhenGallinula silvestris Samoan MoorhenGallinula pacifica Tristan MoorhenGallinula nesiotis

Heard a Eurasian Moorhen?

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