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

Pied Stilt

Himantopus leucocephalus

The Pied Stilt is a graceful, long-legged wading bird distinguished by its stark black-and-white plumage and incredibly long, pink legs. It is a social species commonly found foraging in shallow wetlands across Oceania and Southeast Asia.

What it sounds like

A repetitive, high-pitched yapping or 'barking' sound, often compared to the sound of a small dog.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:57

Rec. Khristos Nizamis · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses the longest legs relative to body size of any bird species except for the flamingo.
Performs an elaborate 'broken-wing' distraction display to lure potential predators away from its ground-based nest.
Its specialized long legs allow it to wade and forage in deeper water than most other shorebirds of a similar size.
Nests in loose colonies, allowing for communal defense through synchronized alarm calling and mobbing of intruders.
The species is partially migratory, with many southern populations moving northward to warmer climates during the winter months.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater or saltwater wetlands, estuaries, salt pans, and coastal lagoons.

Range

Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black StiltHimantopus novaezelandiae Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus

Heard a Pied Stilt?

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