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 Merganser

Mergus serrator

The Red-breasted Merganser is a slender, diving sawbill duck recognized by its thin, serrated bill and shaggy, double-pointed crest. It is a highly specialized piscivore that inhabits both freshwater and marine environments across the Northern Hemisphere.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent, but females may give a harsh, raspy 'kr-kr-krr' and males a low-pitched, cat-like 'yeow-yeow' during display.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Astrid Cervantes · NetherlandsCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the fastest ducks in level flight, with recorded speeds reaching up to 100 mph.
To take flight, it must run a considerable distance across the water's surface to generate enough lift.
Its thin bill is lined with backward-pointing serrations that allow it to securely grasp slippery fish.
They often hunt cooperatively in large flocks, driving schools of fish into shallow water to make them easier to catch.
This species is more tolerant of saltwater than other mergansers, frequently wintering in turbulent coastal estuaries and bays.

Habitat

Breeds near clear freshwater lakes and rivers; winters primarily in coastal bays, estuaries, and lagoons.

Range

Holarctic; found throughout northern North America, Europe, and Asia, migrating to temperate coastlines.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Auckland Islands MerganserMergus australis Brazilian MerganserMergus octosetaceus Common MerganserMergus merganser Scaly-sided MerganserMergus squamatus

Heard a Red-breasted Merganser?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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