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

Least Grebe

Tachybaptus dominicus

The Least Grebe is the smallest member of its family in the Western Hemisphere, characterized by its diminutive size and piercing yellow eyes. It is an inconspicuous waterbird often found in small, vegetated freshwater bodies.

What it sounds like

A rapid, nasal, metallic trill or a series of 'ke-ke-ke' notes often compared to a tiny toy trumpet.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:20

Rec. Miguel Angelo Biz · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest grebe species in the Americas, measuring only about 21 to 27 centimeters in length.
Both sexes feature distinct bright yellow irises that stand out against their slate-gray plumage.
They are opportunistic nesters and can breed at any time of year if water levels and food supply are sufficient.
Like other grebes, they ingest their own feathers to line their stomachs, which helps protect the digestive tract from fish bones.
Despite being weak fliers, they are highly mobile and can quickly colonize temporary ponds created by heavy rains.

Habitat

Small freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, and ditches with dense emergent vegetation.

Range

Southern Texas and the West Indies through Central and South America to northern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alaotra GrebeTachybaptus rufolavatus Australasian GrebeTachybaptus novaehollandiae Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis Madagascar GrebeTachybaptus pelzelnii

Heard a Least 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