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

Prairie Falcon

Falco mexicanus

A medium-sized, sandy-colored raptor of the American West, the Prairie Falcon is built for speed and adapted to arid, open environments. It is most easily identified in flight by its distinctive dark 'armpits' contrasting with its pale underwings.

What it sounds like

A series of loud, rhythmic, and piercingly harsh 'kik-kik-kik' or 'kree-kree-kree' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:19

Rec. Bobby Wilcox · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses dark axillar feathers (armpits) that provide a sharp diagnostic contrast against its light underwing coverts during flight.
Unlike the Peregrine Falcon which often strikes from high above, this species frequently hunts by flying low to the ground to surprise small mammals and ground-dwelling birds.
They do not build their own stick nests, instead utilizing 'scrapes' on high cliff ledges or occasionally refurbishing old raven or hawk nests.
The Prairie Falcon is highly territorial during the breeding season and is known to aggressively dive-bomb much larger Golden Eagles that enter its airspace.
Exhibits a specialized desert adaptation where it can meet most of its hydration needs through the metabolic moisture found in its prey.

Habitat

Arid grasslands, shrub-steppes, desert scrub, and high alpine parklands adjacent to cliff faces.

Range

Western North America, from southern Canada through the western United States to central Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African HobbyFalco cuvierii American KestrelFalco sparverius Amur FalconFalco amurensis Aplomado FalconFalco femoralis Australian HobbyFalco longipennis Banded KestrelFalco zoniventris Bat FalconFalco rufigularis Black FalconFalco subniger

Heard a Prairie Falcon?

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