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

Marabou Stork

Leptoptilos crumenifer

The Marabou Stork is a massive, prehistoric-looking scavenger often nicknamed the 'undertaker' due to its somber plumage and cloaked appearance. It plays a vital ecological role by disposing of carrion and organic waste across the African continent.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent, but produces rhythmic bill-clattering and occasional guttural croaks or squeaks during the breeding season.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Alain Malengreau · UgandaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses one of the largest wingspans of any living land bird, occasionally reaching up to 2.9 meters (9.5 feet).
The distinctive inflatable throat sac is used primarily for courtship displays and social signaling rather than food storage.
It practices urohidrosis, a cooling mechanism where the bird excretes on its own legs to lower its body temperature through evaporation.
Unlike most other stork species that fly with necks outstretched, the Marabou flies with its neck retracted in an 'S' shape to support the weight of its massive bill.
It is highly opportunistic and has adapted to human encroachment by scavenging at landfills and slaughterhouses.

Habitat

Arid savannas, grasslands, lake margins, and increasingly in urban areas near refuse sites.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Greater AdjutantLeptoptilos dubius Lesser AdjutantLeptoptilos javanicus

Heard a Marabou Stork?

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