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

Medium Egret

Ardea intermedia

A medium-sized white heron intermediate in scale between the Great and Little Egret, characterized by its proportionately shorter bill and thicker neck.

What it sounds like

Generally silent, but produces deep, raspy croaks and harsh 'kwa-ark' sounds at nesting colonies.

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

The gape of its bill ends directly below the eye, unlike the Great Egret whose gape extends significantly further back.
During the breeding season, the yellow bill can turn black and the facial lores often flush a vivid neon green.
It grows elaborate, lace-like breeding plumes (aigrettes) on both its breast and back, whereas Great Egrets only have them on the back.
Unlike the Little Egret, it lacks the two long, ribbon-like head plumes during its courtship displays.
It primarily hunts by standing still or walking slowly in shallow water, focusing on small fish, frogs, and aquatic insects.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, flooded grasslands, rice paddies, and shallow coastal wetlands.

Range

Widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia, and Australia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-headed HeronArdea melanocephala Cocoi HeronArdea cocoi Eastern Cattle-EgretArdea coromanda Goliath HeronArdea goliath Gray HeronArdea cinerea Great Blue HeronArdea herodias Great EgretArdea alba Great-billed HeronArdea sumatrana

Heard a Medium Egret?

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

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