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

Hooded Grebe

Podiceps gallardoi

A critically endangered Patagonian waterbird known for its striking white body, black hood, and elaborate synchronized courtship dances.

What it sounds like

A series of rhythmic, wheezing whistles and low-pitched croaks used during group displays.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bjorn Alards · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

This species remained unknown to science until its discovery in 1974.
It performs highly complex courtship rituals including the 'ghostly penguin' and 'sky-pointing' displays.
The population has declined by over 80% due to invasive American mink and climate-driven habitat loss.
It builds unique floating nests constructed primarily from the aquatic milfoil plant.
Unlike many grebes, it migrates from high-altitude volcanic lakes to Atlantic coastal estuaries for winter.

Habitat

Remote basaltic highland lakes during breeding; coastal estuaries and sheltered bays during winter.

Range

Southern Patagonia, almost exclusively within the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Colombian GrebePodiceps andinus Eared GrebePodiceps nigricollis Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus Great GrebePodiceps major Horned GrebePodiceps auritus Junin GrebePodiceps taczanowskii Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegena Silvery GrebePodiceps occipitalis

Heard a Hooded Grebe?

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