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

Indian Swiftlet

Aerodramus unicolor

A small, dark aerial insectivore native to the hills of Southern India and Sri Lanka, famous for its edible saliva-based nests. It is one of the few bird species capable of navigating dark caves using echolocation.

What it sounds like

Sharp, rapid metallic clicking sounds for navigation and high-pitched, buzzy twittering notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Mathias Ritschard · IndiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Constructs a cup-shaped nest made entirely of saliva that hardens into a white, translucent substance.
Utilizes a primitive form of echolocation consisting of low-frequency clicks to fly in total darkness within nesting caves.
Stays airborne for the majority of the day, feeding on a wide variety of small winged insects caught in flight.
Nests are highly prized in traditional medicine and culinary arts, leading to significant commercial harvesting pressures.
Lacks the pale rump patch found in many other Aerodramus species, possessing a uniform dark brown plumage instead.

Habitat

Montane forests, rocky cliffs, and deep coastal or inland caves used for colonial roosting.

Range

Western Ghats of India and the island of Sri Lanka.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ameline SwiftletAerodramus amelis Atiu SwiftletAerodramus sawtelli Australian SwiftletAerodramus terraereginae Bare-legged SwiftletAerodramus nuditarsus Black-nest SwiftletAerodramus maximus Caroline Islands SwiftletAerodramus inquietus Himalayan SwiftletAerodramus brevirostris Mariana SwiftletAerodramus bartschi

Heard a Indian Swiftlet?

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