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

Gray-headed Swamphen

Porphyrio poliocephalus

A large, vibrant rail distinguished by its iridescent purple-blue plumage, massive red bill, and prominent frontal shield.

What it sounds like

A loud, chaotic mix of metallic shrieks, trumpeting squawks, and rhythmic nasal clucking.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Greg Irving · ThailandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses exceptionally long, unwebbed toes that allow it to walk across floating vegetation by distributing its body weight.
Unlike most birds, it frequently uses its feet to grasp food items and bring them to its beak for consumption.
While native to Southern Asia, an established population exists in Florida following escapes from a private collection in the 1990s.
It was previously classified as a subspecies of the Purple Swamphen before being recognized as a distinct species.
They are often cooperative breeders, with multiple members of a social group helping to protect and feed a single nest.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, lakes with floating vegetation, and dense reed beds.

Range

Southern Asia from the Middle East to Thailand, with introduced populations in Florida, USA.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African SwamphenPorphyrio madagascariensis Allen's GallinulePorphyrio alleni Australasian SwamphenPorphyrio melanotus Azure GallinulePorphyrio flavirostris Black-backed SwamphenPorphyrio indicus Lord Howe SwamphenPorphyrio albus Marquesan SwamphenPorphyrio paepae New Caledonian GallinulePorphyrio kukwiedei

Heard a Gray-headed Swamphen?

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