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-crowned Crane

Grus japonensis

The Red-crowned Crane is a large, iconic East Asian crane recognized by its snow-white plumage and a patch of bare red skin on its vertex. It is a symbol of longevity and fidelity, renowned for its elaborate and graceful courtship dances.

What it sounds like

A loud, penetrating, flute-like bugling or trumpeting, often delivered in a synchronized duet between mates.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Ding Li Yong · JapanCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the rarest cranes in the world, currently classified as Endangered with a decreasing global population.
The red patch on the head is actually bare skin that becomes more vibrant during the breeding season or when the bird is excited.
Pairs engage in 'unison calling,' a complex vocal and physical display used to reinforce pair bonds and advertise territory.
It is the most aquatic of all crane species, preferring to forage and nest in deeper water marshes than its relatives.
In East Asian culture, particularly in Japan and China, it is a sacred bird believed to live for a thousand years.

Habitat

Large-scale wetlands, deep-water marshes, reed beds, and riverine floodplains.

Range

East Asia, specifically found in Hokkaido (Japan), northeast China, eastern Russia, and the Korean Peninsula.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-necked CraneGrus nigricollis Blue CraneGrus paradiseus Common CraneGrus grus Demoiselle CraneGrus virgo Hooded CraneGrus monacha Wattled CraneGrus carunculatus Whooping CraneGrus americana

Heard a Red-crowned Crane?

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