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 Rhea

Rhea americana

The Greater Rhea is the largest bird in the Americas, a flightless ratite that roams open grasslands and pampas. It is characterized by its long neck, powerful legs, and a unique social structure where males provide primary parental care.

What it sounds like

A deep, resonant booming or hooting sound, often compared to a low-frequency roar or a 'bu-up' sound.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:58

Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest extant bird species native to the Americas, reaching heights of up to 1.5 meters.
The species exhibits a polygynous mating system where the male builds the nest and incubates eggs from several different females.
Unlike the African Ostrich which has two toes, the Greater Rhea possesses three toes on each foot.
They use their large, plume-like wings as rudders to navigate and maintain balance while running at speeds up to 60 km/h.
During the non-breeding season, they frequently form mixed-species flocks with Pampas deer to increase vigilance against predators.

Habitat

Open grasslands, pampas, and savanna-like scrub forests.

Range

South America, primarily throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Lesser RheaRhea pennata

Heard a Greater Rhea?

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