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

Gough Moorhen

Gallinula comeri

The Gough Moorhen is a stocky, nearly flightless rail endemic to the remote South Atlantic, distinguished by its dark plumage and bright red frontal shield.

What it sounds like

A series of sharp, explosive 'kuck-kuck' notes and harsh, repetitive 'kurruk' sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:21

Rec. Jim Holmes · United KingdomCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Though it possesses wings, it has lost the capacity for sustained flight, instead using its powerful legs to navigate dense vegetation.
The species was intentionally introduced to Tristan da Cunha in 1956 to fill the niche left by the extinct Tristan Moorhen.
It is a highly opportunistic feeder, consuming seeds, invertebrates, and even scavenging from carcasses of other seabirds.
Unlike many island endemics, it has managed to coexist with invasive house mice, though it remains listed as Vulnerable.
Its morphology is similar to the Common Moorhen but with a thicker bill, shorter wings, and more robust tarsi.

Habitat

Tussock grasslands, fern-bush, and marshy plateaus near coastal cliffs.

Range

Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common GallinuleGallinula galeata Dusky MoorhenGallinula tenebrosa Eurasian MoorhenGallinula chloropus Makira MoorhenGallinula silvestris Samoan MoorhenGallinula pacifica Tristan MoorhenGallinula nesiotis

Heard a Gough Moorhen?

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