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

Horned Coot

Fulica cornuta

The Horned Coot is a massive, high-altitude waterbird distinctive for the fleshy black proboscis on its forehead and its unique stone-piling nesting behavior.

What it sounds like

A series of low, guttural croaks and nasal grunts, often described as frog-like or similar to a low bark.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. A. Bennett Hennessey · ChileCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It constructs artificial islands for nesting by piling up stones that can collectively weigh over 1.5 tons.
The eponymous 'horn' is actually a soft, erectile wattle at the base of the bill rather than a structure of bone or keratin.
It is one of the largest members of the Rallidae family, reaching lengths of up to 62 centimeters.
The species is largely monogamous and pairs often renovate and reuse the same massive stone mounds for several years.
It is currently classified as Near Threatened due to its specialized habitat requirements and small, fragmented population.

Habitat

High-altitude brackish or salt lakes in the Puna zone, typically between 3,000 and 5,200 meters elevation.

Range

The Altiplano of the central Andes, encompassing parts of northern Chile, southwestern Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American CootFulica americana Eurasian CootFulica atra Giant CootFulica gigantea Hawaiian CootFulica alai Mascarene CootFulica newtonii Red-fronted CootFulica rufifrons Red-gartered CootFulica armillata Red-knobbed CootFulica cristata

Heard a Horned Coot?

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