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

Pacific Loon

Gavia pacifica

The Pacific Loon is a sleek, medium-sized diver known for its velvety gray crown and striking black-and-white checkered mantle during the breeding season. It is one of the most abundant loon species in North America, often seen in large migratory flocks.

What it sounds like

A series of haunting, high-pitched wails and deep, rhythmic, guttural barks or yelps.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Seth Beaudreault (Toolik Field Station) · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was taxonomically considered the same species as the Arctic Loon until they were officially split in 1985.
Unlike the larger Common Loon, the Pacific Loon is highly gregarious and may migrate in groups of thousands.
It requires a running start across the water's surface to achieve flight due to its heavy body and rear-set legs.
During the breeding season, it displays an iridescent purple or green throat patch that is only visible in specific lighting.
The species possesses specialized supraorbital glands that allow it to drink saltwater and excrete the excess salt through its bill.

Habitat

Breeds on deep tundra lakes and ponds; winters in coastal marine waters and large estuaries.

Range

Breeds across the Arctic and Subarctic of North America and Siberia; winters along the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Mexico and East Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Arctic LoonGavia arctica Common LoonGavia immer Red-throated LoonGavia stellata Yellow-billed LoonGavia adamsii

Heard a Pacific Loon?

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

Identify a bird by its song