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

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo

The Great Cormorant is a large, versatile waterbird known for its dark plumage, hooked bill, and characteristic upright wing-drying posture.

What it sounds like

Generally silent away from the nest; produces deep, guttural croaks and harsh grunts at breeding colonies.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

Field notes

Their feathers are not fully waterproof, which reduces buoyancy and allows for more efficient, deep-water pursuit of prey.
They are capable of diving to depths of up to 30 meters and can remain submerged for over a minute.
Traditional fishers in East Asia have historically trained this species to catch fish using a neck-ring to prevent them from swallowing the catch.
During the breeding season, adults develop prominent white thigh patches and silvery filoplumes on the head and neck.
They are one of the most widely distributed cormorant species, found on every continent except South America and Antarctica.

Habitat

Coastal waters, estuaries, large inland lakes, and slow-moving rivers.

Range

Widespread across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, and the northeastern coast of North America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Bank CormorantPhalacrocorax neglectus Black-faced CormorantPhalacrocorax fuscescens Cape CormorantPhalacrocorax capensis Indian CormorantPhalacrocorax fuscicollis Indian CormorantPhalacrocorax fuscicollis Japanese CormorantPhalacrocorax capillatus Little Black CormorantPhalacrocorax sulcirostris Pied CormorantPhalacrocorax varius

Heard a Great Cormorant?

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