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

Henderson Island Crake

Zapornia atra

The Henderson Island Crake is a small, flightless rail endemic to its namesake island, characterized by its entirely soot-black plumage and striking red irises.

What it sounds like

A series of high-pitched, rhythmic whistles and sharp, percussive rattling sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:04

Rec. Todd Mark · United KingdomCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the last surviving flightless land bird native to Henderson Island following the extinction of several other endemic species.
Adults possess vibrant red legs and eyes, whereas juveniles are born with duller gray plumage and dark irises.
Despite its inability to fly, it is highly mobile on the ground and uses its strong legs to navigate dense coral rubble and leaf litter.
The species is opportunistic and omnivorous, consuming everything from gastropods and insects to the eggs of nesting seabirds.
Its population is remarkably stable despite its restricted range, though it remains vulnerable due to its reliance on a single, remote ecosystem.

Habitat

Dense forest undergrowth and plateau scrub on a raised coral atoll.

Range

Henderson Island, Pitcairn Islands (South Pacific)

Similar & commonly confused birds

Baillon's CrakeZapornia pusilla Band-bellied CrakeZapornia paykullii Black CrakeZapornia flavirostra Black-tailed CrakeZapornia bicolor Brown CrakeZapornia akool Hawaiian RailZapornia sandwichensis Kosrae CrakeZapornia monasa Kosrae CrakeZapornia monasa

Heard a Henderson Island Crake?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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