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

Red-breasted Goose

Branta ruficollis

The Red-breasted Goose is a small, visually striking waterfowl characterized by its bold chestnut, black, and white plumage. It is globally threatened and known for its unique symbiotic nesting associations with birds of prey.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, shrill, and staccato 'kik-kwa' or 'kee-kwa' sounds delivered in quick succession.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Eetu Paljakka · FinlandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Frequently nests near the aeries of Peregrine Falcons or Snowy Owls to gain protection from Arctic foxes.
It is the smallest and most brightly colored member of the 'black goose' genus Branta.
Almost the entire world population winters in a small number of sites along the western Black Sea coast.
The species breeds exclusively in the Russian Arctic, primarily on the Taimyr, Gydan, and Yamal peninsulas.
It exhibits a rapid, jerky flight style that more closely resembles a duck than a traditional goose.

Habitat

Arctic tundra during breeding season; agricultural fields and coastal wetlands during winter.

Range

Russian Arctic (breeding); Black Sea coastal regions of Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine (wintering).

Similar & commonly confused birds

Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis BrantBranta bernicla Cackling GooseBranta hutchinsii Canada GooseBranta canadensis Hawaiian GooseBranta sandvicensis

Heard a Red-breasted Goose?

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