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

King Rail

Rallus elegans

The King Rail is the largest freshwater rail in North America, a secretive marsh bird characterized by its vibrant rusty plumage and long, decurved bill. It is much more frequently heard than seen due to its preference for dense emergent vegetation.

What it sounds like

A rhythmic, low-pitched series of 'kek-kek-kek' or 'chuck-chuck-chuck' notes that typically starts slowly and increases in tempo.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:23

Rec. John A. Middleton Jr. · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest rail species in North America, reaching lengths of up to 19 inches.
King Rails are known to hybridize with the closely related Clapper Rail in brackish areas where their habitats overlap.
Their diet is highly specialized toward crustaceans, particularly crayfish, which they skillfully extract from burrows.
Despite their secretive nature, they are surprisingly capable swimmers and will dive underwater to escape aerial predators.
The species has experienced significant population declines due to the loss of over 50% of North American wetlands.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater and occasionally brackish marshes with dense stands of cattails, bulrushes, and sedges.

Range

Eastern North America, ranging from the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts inland through the Mississippi River Valley to the Great Lakes.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African RailRallus caerulescens Austral RailRallus antarcticus Aztec RailRallus tenuirostris Bogota RailRallus semiplumbeus Brown-cheeked RailRallus indicus Clapper RailRallus crepitans Ecuadorian RailRallus aequatorialis Madagascar RailRallus madagascariensis

Heard a King Rail?

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Identify a bird by its song