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

Razorbill

Alca torda

The Razorbill is a medium-sized colonial auk and the closest living relative of the extinct Great Auk, distinguished by its deep, laterally compressed bill with white transverse lines.

What it sounds like

Generally silent at sea; at breeding sites, they emit low, guttural vibrating growls and rhythmic croaks.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:44

Rec. Scott Olmstead · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only extant member of the genus Alca.
Chicks depart from their cliff-side nests at only 15-20 days old, jumping into the sea before they are able to fly.
Pairs are primarily monogamous and engage in elaborate mutual preening and bill-touching to maintain pair bonds.
They use their wings to 'fly' underwater, reaching depths of up to 120 meters while hunting forage fish.
Razorbills are long-lived birds, with some individuals reaching over 30 years of age.

Habitat

Rocky coastal cliffs for breeding; open marine waters and continental shelf edges during the winter.

Range

Subarctic and boreal waters of the North Atlantic, ranging from eastern North America to Western Europe.

Heard a Razorbill?

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