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

Greater Ani

Crotophaga major

The Greater Ani is a large, glossy black member of the cuckoo family characterized by its massive, ridged bill and distinctive pale eyes.

What it sounds like

A loud, rhythmic series of bubbling gurgles and guttural croaks often likened to the sound of boiling water.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Tristan Guillebot de Nerville · French GuianaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

They are communal breeders where up to four unrelated pairs share a single nest and cooperatively raise the young.
Unlike its smaller relatives, the Greater Ani has a striking pale yellow to white iris that contrasts with its dark plumage.
While they belong to the cuckoo family, they are not brood parasites and instead build their own bulky stick nests.
Females in a communal group synchronize egg-laying, although the first eggs laid are often tossed out by other females to ensure clutch parity.
Their plumage features a prominent blue or violet iridescent sheen that is particularly visible in direct sunlight.

Habitat

Mangrove swamps, riparian forests, and lakeside vegetation.

Range

South America east of the Andes, ranging from Panama to northern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Groove-billed AniCrotophaga sulcirostris Smooth-billed AniCrotophaga ani

Heard a Greater Ani?

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