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

Galapagos Martin

Progne modesta

A large, dark swallow endemic to the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos Martin is an agile aerial insectivore often seen patrolling cliffs and coastlines.

What it sounds like

A series of liquid, musical gurgling notes and soft, rhythmic 'chew-chew' warbles.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the swallow family (Hirundinidae) that breeds in the Galapagos archipelago.
The species exhibits sexual dimorphism; males are entirely glossy blue-black, while females have brownish-grey underparts.
Unlike many mainland martins, this species nests in high cliff crevices and lava tubes rather than building mud nests.
The population is estimated at fewer than 1,000 individuals, leading to its classification as Endangered by the IUCN.
They are highly territorial during the breeding season, often seen chasing larger birds like Galapagos Hawks away from nesting sites.

Habitat

Coastal cliffs, volcanic lava fields, and dry deciduous forests.

Range

Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, primarily Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown-chested MartinProgne tapera Caribbean MartinProgne dominicensis Cuban MartinProgne cryptoleuca Gray-breasted MartinProgne chalybea Peruvian MartinProgne murphyi Purple MartinProgne subis Sinaloa MartinProgne sinaloae Southern MartinProgne elegans

Heard a Galapagos Martin?

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