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

Giant Wood-Rail

Aramides ypecaha

The Giant Wood-Rail is a large, strikingly colored marsh bird known for its uncharacteristically bold behavior and loud, synchronized group vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing series of rhythmic shrieks and wheezing notes often described as 'yip-eh-ca-ha'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Marcos E. Sosa · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest member of the genus Aramides, reaching lengths of up to 45 centimeters.
Unlike most rail species which are notoriously secretive, this bird is often seen foraging in the open during the day.
The species name 'ypecaha' is a Guaraní term meaning 'water-hen' or 'bird of the marsh.'
Pairs or groups engage in deafeningly loud duets, characterized by a chaotic mix of screams and rhythmic cackling.
It possesses distinctive morphological features including bright coral-red legs, a yellow-green bill, and a red iris.

Habitat

Marshes, wet grasslands, gallery forests, and swampy woodland edges.

Range

Central-eastern South America, covering eastern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and southeastern Bolivia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown Wood-RailAramides wolfi Gray-cowled Wood-RailAramides cajaneus Little Wood-RailAramides mangle Red-winged Wood-RailAramides calopterus Red-winged Wood-RailAramides calopterus Rufous-necked Wood-RailAramides axillaris Russet-naped Wood-RailAramides albiventris Slaty-breasted Wood-RailAramides saracura

Heard a Giant Wood-Rail?

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