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 Petrel

Procellaria cinerea

A large, robust seabird of the Southern Ocean, the Gray Petrel is distinguished by its ashy-gray upperparts, white belly, and dark underwings.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, wheezing 'pedi-unk' combined with liquid groans and high-pitched whistles emitted from burrows.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 7:15

Rec. David Boyle · New ZealandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the few petrels that breeds during the austral winter, arriving at nesting colonies as early as February.
Remarkable for its diving ability among procellariids, it can reach depths of nearly 10 meters to capture prey.
The species is frequently nicknamed the 'Pediunker' by sailors, an onomatopoeic name reflecting its distinct call.
It is highly susceptible to longline fishing bycatch, which has contributed to its status as a Near Threatened species.
Unlike many related species, it tends to nest in burrows situated on well-drained, vegetated slopes rather than flat ground.

Habitat

Pelagic open waters and sub-Antarctic island coastal slopes.

Range

Circumpolar throughout the Southern Ocean, typically between 32°S and 58°S.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Parkinson's PetrelProcellaria parkinsoni Spectacled PetrelProcellaria conspicillata Spectacled PetrelProcellaria conspicillata Westland PetrelProcellaria westlandica Westland PetrelProcellaria westlandica White-chinned PetrelProcellaria aequinoctialis

Heard a Gray Petrel?

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