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

Madagascar Rail

Rallus madagascariensis

A medium-sized, secretive wetland bird endemic to Madagascar, characterized by its slaty-grey underparts and reddish-brown crown.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, descending series of metallic trills and sharp 'kree-kree' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:07

Rec. Hans Matheve · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is endemic to Madagascar, primarily restricted to the eastern humid forests and central highlands.
Classified as Vulnerable, it faces significant threats from the drainage of wetlands for rice cultivation.
It is distinguished from the sympatric White-throated Rail by its lack of a white throat and its smaller body size.
The species is highly elusive and most active during dawn and dusk, making it difficult to spot in dense cover.
Its diet is primarily composed of small invertebrates and seeds foraged from muddy marsh environments.

Habitat

Dense freshwater marshes, reedbeds, and highland swamps.

Range

Eastern and central Madagascar.

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 King RailRallus elegans

Heard a Madagascar Rail?

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