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

Lava Gull

Leucophaeus fuliginosus

The Lava Gull is the world's rarest gull, a medium-sized bird distinguished by its unique charcoal-grey plumage and striking white eyelids. This vulnerable species is an iconic example of island endemism, having evolved specialized camouflage for volcanic environments.

What it sounds like

A loud, high-pitched series of notes resembling a raucous, rattling 'laugh' or 'chuckle'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Leander Khil · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is considered the rarest gull in the world, with a total population estimated at only 300 to 600 individuals.
Unlike most gull species that nest in dense colonies, the Lava Gull is a solitary nester to avoid attracting predators.
Their dark sooty-grey coloration provides near-perfect camouflage against the black basaltic lava flows of their home islands.
They are opportunistic scavengers and predators, known to steal eggs from other seabirds and hunt small iguanas.
Juveniles possess a browner plumage than adults, which takes several years to transition into the characteristic slate-grey adult feathers.

Habitat

Sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and coastal lagoons near volcanic outcrops.

Range

Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Dolphin GullLeucophaeus scoresbii Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcan Gray GullLeucophaeus modestus Laughing GullLeucophaeus atricilla

Heard a Lava Gull?

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