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

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

The Magnificent Frigatebird is a large, masterfully aerial seabird known for its deeply forked tail and the male's striking, inflatable red throat pouch.

What it sounds like

Generally silent at sea; at breeding colonies, males produce a series of rattling, drumming, and warbling sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:14

Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses the largest wing-area-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, allowing it to soar for weeks on end using thermal updrafts.
Unlike most other seabirds, its feathers are not waterproof, meaning it can never land on the ocean surface without risk of drowning.
Males inflate a vibrant red gular sac for up to 20 minutes during courtship to attract females flying overhead.
It is a notorious kleptoparasite, frequently harassing boobies and terns in mid-air until they regurgitate their meals.
Its skeleton is incredibly lightweight, weighing less than the total weight of its feathers.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical coastal waters, mangroves, and offshore islands.

Range

Tropical Atlantic and Pacific oceans, including the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Galápagos Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ascension FrigatebirdFregata aquila Christmas Island FrigatebirdFregata andrewsi Great FrigatebirdFregata minor Lesser FrigatebirdFregata ariel

Heard a Magnificent Frigatebird?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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