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

Nankeen Night Heron

Nycticorax caledonicus

A medium-sized, stocky heron characterized by its striking cinnamon-colored plumage and predominantly nocturnal foraging habits. It is frequently seen standing motionless near water edges at dusk or dawn.

What it sounds like

A loud, harsh, and sudden 'quock' or 'wok', typically heard when the bird is flushed or flying to feeding grounds at night.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Marc Anderson · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Adults develop two to three long, white nuptial plumes extending from the nape during the breeding season.
The name 'Nankeen' refers to a buff-colored cotton fabric historically produced in Nanjing, China, which matches the bird's back color.
Juveniles are starkly different from adults, featuring heavily streaked brown and white plumage for camouflage in reed beds.
While they hunt solitarily at night, they often spend the day roosting in large, communal groups within dense tree canopies.
They are opportunistic predators, known to occasionally raid the nests of other birds to eat eggs and hatchlings.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands, brackish estuaries, mangroves, and urban parks with permanent water and dense vegetation.

Range

Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and various islands in the southwest Pacific.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ascension Night HeronNycticorax olsoni Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-HeronNycticorax nycticorax Mauritius Night HeronNycticorax mauritianus Reunion Night HeronNycticorax duboisi Rodrigues Night HeronNycticorax megacephalus

Heard a Nankeen Night Heron?

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

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