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 Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

A large, terrestrial cuckoo of the arid Southwest, uniquely adapted for high-speed pursuit of prey across open desert floor.

What it sounds like

A low-pitched, mournful series of 5 to 8 descending 'coo' notes, sounding somewhat similar to a dove.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Richard E. Webster · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Capable of reaching running speeds up to 20 mph (32 km/h) while using its long tail as a rudder for sharp turns.
Possesses zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two backward) which leave X-shaped tracks, making it difficult to track its direction.
Frequently hunts venomous prey, including rattlesnakes and scorpions, often killing snakes by bashing their heads against rocks.
Exposes a patch of black skin on its back to the sun to absorb heat and recover from overnight torpor in cold desert climates.
To conserve water, it excretes excess salt from specialized glands located in front of its eyes, similar to many seabirds.

Habitat

Arid deserts, chaparral, and open grasslands with scattered brush or scrub.

Range

Southwestern United States and Mexico, ranging from California to the Gulf Coast.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Lesser RoadrunnerGeococcyx velox Lesser RoadrunnerGeococcyx velox

Heard a Greater Roadrunner?

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