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

Pelagic Cormorant

Urile pelagicus

The Pelagic Cormorant is the smallest and most marine-oriented cormorant in North America, characterized by its slender bill and iridescent dark plumage.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent at sea; emits low, guttural croaks, grunts, or hisses during courtship and at nesting colonies.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 7:03

Rec. Ian Cruickshank · CanadaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its name, it rarely ventures far into the open ocean, typically remaining within a few miles of the coastline.
During the breeding season, adults develop two prominent white flank patches and vivid red skin around the base of the bill.
It is an exceptional diver, capable of reaching depths of up to 138 feet to forage for bottom-dwelling fish and crustaceans.
They are uniquely adapted to nest on extremely narrow, vertical cliff ledges that are inaccessible to most terrestrial predators.
Unlike many other seabirds, their feathers are not fully waterproof, requiring them to stand with wings spread to dry after diving.

Habitat

Rugged rocky coastlines, precipitous sea cliffs, and nearshore marine waters.

Range

Northern Pacific coasts, ranging from Alaska and the Aleutian Islands south to Baja California and across to Russia and Japan.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brandt's CormorantUrile penicillatus Pallas's CormorantUrile perspicillatus Pallas's CormorantUrile perspicillatus Red-faced CormorantUrile urile

Heard a Pelagic Cormorant?

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

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