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 Skua

Stercorarius skua

A large, powerful, and aggressive predatory seabird known for its kleptoparasitic behavior and heavy-set appearance.

What it sounds like

A low, harsh, rhythmic barking 'hah-hah-hah-hah' or a nasal, rasping 'skeerr'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Erik Normark · NorwayCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is a notorious kleptoparasite, often harassing other birds until they regurgitate their food.
Aggressively defends its nest by dive-bombing intruders, including humans, often striking with its feet.
Features distinctive white 'flashes' or patches at the base of its primary wing feathers visible in flight.
Diet is highly opportunistic, including fish, offal, and even killing smaller seabirds like puffins and kittiwakes.
It is a long-lived species, with some individuals reaching over 30 years of age in the wild.

Habitat

Coastal moorlands and rocky islands for breeding; largely pelagic during the non-breeding season.

Range

Breeds in the Northeast Atlantic (Scotland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway); winters in the open Atlantic.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown SkuaStercorarius antarcticus Chilean SkuaStercorarius chilensis Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudus Parasitic JaegerStercorarius parasiticus Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinus South Polar SkuaStercorarius maccormicki

Heard a Great Skua?

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