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

Goliath Heron

Ardea goliath

The Goliath Heron is the world's largest extant heron, distinguished by its massive stature, rufous head and neck, and solitary hunting behavior. It is a formidable aquatic predator capable of handling significantly larger prey than its relatives.

What it sounds like

A deep, resonant, bark-like 'kow-ork' that can carry for over several kilometers.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:32

Rec. Jonathan Onongo · UgandaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Standing up to 150 cm tall, it is the largest heron in the world, with a wingspan reaching up to 230 cm.
It is a patient 'stand and wait' hunter that can remain motionless for hours to ambush large fish weighing over 2 kg.
Due to its immense size and powerful dagger-like bill, it is known to successfully defend its kills against kleptoparasites like African Fish Eagles.
The species is highly territorial and typically maintains a vast feeding area, rarely tolerating the presence of other Goliath Herons.
Despite its weight, it can fly with a remarkably slow and heavy wingbeat, often carrying its neck in a tighter 'S' shape than smaller herons.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, tidal estuaries, and occasionally mangroves.

Range

Widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, with smaller, localized populations in Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-headed HeronArdea melanocephala Cocoi HeronArdea cocoi Eastern Cattle-EgretArdea coromanda Gray HeronArdea cinerea Great Blue HeronArdea herodias Great EgretArdea alba Great-billed HeronArdea sumatrana Humblot's HeronArdea humbloti

Heard a Goliath Heron?

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