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 Nighthawk

Chordeiles pusillus

The Least Nighthawk is the smallest member of the Caprimulgidae family, characterized by its diminutive size and erratic, bat-like flight. This aerial insectivore is primarily crepuscular, hunting during the fleeting light of dawn and dusk over open landscapes.

What it sounds like

A short, sharp, and rhythmic 'pook-pook' or a dry, rising 'shreep' given during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Frank Lambert · ColombiaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the world's smallest nighthawk, typically measuring only 15 to 19 centimeters in length.
The species is polytypic, with six recognized subspecies that vary in plumage saturation across its South American range.
Unlike many relatives, its white wing patches are positioned very close to the wingtips, which helps distinguish it in flight.
It is known to forage in small loose groups, often concentrating around water sources or localized insect swarms.
The Least Nighthawk does not construct a nest, instead relying on highly cryptic egg coloration for protection on bare ground.

Habitat

Open tropical savannas, grasslands, Cerrado biomes, and forest clearings.

Range

Widespread across northern and central South America, including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and the Guianas.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Antillean NighthawkChordeiles gundlachii Common NighthawkChordeiles minor Lesser NighthawkChordeiles acutipennis Nacunda NighthawkChordeiles nacunda Sand-colored NighthawkChordeiles rupestris

Heard a Least Nighthawk?

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