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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollis

The Little Grebe is a small, shy waterbird characterized by its dumpy, tailless profile and exceptional diving ability. In breeding season, it is easily identified by its chestnut neck and the prominent yellow patch at the base of its bill.

What it sounds like

A loud, high-pitched, whinnying trill often described as a 'laughing' sound.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the smallest member of the grebe family found in Europe and much of Asia.
When leaving the nest, adults carefully cover their eggs with wet vegetation to hide them from predators.
The chicks are frequently carried on the parents' backs, sometimes even staying tucked under the wings during shallow dives.
Unlike ducks, they have lobed toes rather than webbed feet, providing precise maneuverability underwater.
In the winter, they lose their vibrant chestnut coloring and turn a more inconspicuous buff-brown with a white throat.

Habitat

Small, shallow freshwater bodies with dense vegetation, including ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.

Range

Widespread throughout Europe, Africa, and southern to eastern Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Alaotra GrebeTachybaptus rufolavatus Australasian GrebeTachybaptus novaehollandiae Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus Madagascar GrebeTachybaptus pelzelnii

Heard a Little 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