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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritima

A robust, hardy shorebird of the North Atlantic known for its affinity for icy, wave-swept rocky coastlines.

What it sounds like

A thin, sharp 'weet' or 'wit' and a low, scratchy 'trrt' given in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:17

Rec. Stein Ø. Nilsen · NorwayCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the northernmost wintering shorebird, frequently found on ice-covered rocks where other waders cannot survive.
The 'purple' moniker refers to a subtle iridescent sheen on its dark slate-grey winter plumage, visible only in specific lighting.
They exhibit high site fidelity, often returning to the exact same coastal rock or jetty every winter.
Unlike most sandpipers, it is remarkably approachable and often allows observers to get within a few meters.
Their short, sturdy legs and grippy feet are specialized for navigating slippery, seaweed-covered intertidal zones.

Habitat

Exposed rocky shores, breakwaters, and seaweed-covered reefs; high Arctic tundra during breeding.

Range

North Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe; breeds in the high Arctic including Greenland and Svalbard.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdii Broad-billed SandpiperCalidris falcinellus Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollis Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferruginea DunlinCalidris alpina Great KnotCalidris tenuirostris Least SandpiperCalidris minutilla Little StintCalidris minuta

Heard a Purple Sandpiper?

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