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 Shearwater

Puffinus subalaris

A small, endemic seabird of the Galápagos archipelago characterized by its dark upperparts, white underwings, and rapid, fluttering flight style.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, haunting series of raspy croaks, wheezes, and high-pitched wails emitted primarily at night near nesting sites.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Richard Hoyer · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Formerly classified as a subspecies of Audubon's Shearwater, it is now recognized as a distinct species endemic to the Galápagos.
Unlike many other procellariiforms, it is largely non-migratory and remains in the waters surrounding the archipelago year-round.
They employ a 'flutter-and-glide' flight technique, often staying mere inches above the ocean surface to forage for squid and small fish.
To avoid predation by Galápagos Hawks and Short-eared Owls, they are strictly nocturnal when visiting their inland breeding colonies.
They nest in a variety of locations, including deep rock crevices, lava tubes, and under dense vegetation on at least 10 different islands.

Habitat

Pelagic waters for foraging and rugged volcanic cliffs or lava fields for nesting.

Range

Endemic to the Galápagos Islands and the surrounding Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Balearic ShearwaterPuffinus mauretanicus Bannerman's ShearwaterPuffinus bannermani Barolo ShearwaterPuffinus baroli Black-vented ShearwaterPuffinus opisthomelas Boyd's ShearwaterPuffinus boydi Bryan's ShearwaterPuffinus bryani Christmas ShearwaterPuffinus nativitatis Fluttering ShearwaterPuffinus gavia

Heard a Galapagos Shearwater?

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