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-tailed Tropicbird

Phaethon rubricauda

A large, elegant white seabird characterized by its striking red tail streamers and specialized plunge-diving hunting style. It is renowned for its spectacular aerial courtship displays over tropical nesting islands.

What it sounds like

Harsh, grating squawks and rhythmic 'rat-tat-tat' rattles uttered during aerial displays and near nesting sites.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:34

Rec. Peter Boesman · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Features two elongated red central tail feathers, known as streamers, which can exceed 30 centimeters in length.
Executes a unique 'backward-flying' courtship display where it hovers and flies in vertical circles while vocalizing.
Possesses totipalmate feet positioned so far back on the body that it can only shuffle awkwardly or crawl on land.
Primarily feeds by plunge-diving from heights of up to 50 meters to catch flying fish and cephalopods.
The white plumage often exhibits a subtle pink or roseate tint, particularly during the onset of the breeding season.

Habitat

Pelagic open ocean, nesting on coral atolls, volcanic islands, and rocky cliff ledges.

Range

Tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the African coast to the Americas.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Red-billed TropicbirdPhaethon aethereus White-tailed TropicbirdPhaethon lepturus

Heard a Red-tailed Tropicbird?

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