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

Rhinoceros Auklet

Cerorhinca monocerata

A medium-sized, nocturnal seabird of the puffin lineage, distinguished by a unique keratinous horn that develops on its bill during the breeding season.

What it sounds like

Low-pitched, guttural moans and rhythmic growls, often described as a series of 'whir-whir-whir' or 'moo' sounds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. KEISUKE KAGOSHIMA · JapanCC BY Xeno-canto

Field notes

The 'horn' on its mandible is actually a deciduous plate that is shed annually after the breeding season.
Unlike most other auks, this species is strictly nocturnal at its breeding colonies to avoid kleptoparasitism by gulls.
Genetic studies confirm it is a primitive member of the puffin tribe (Fraterculini) rather than a true auk.
They nest in extensive underground burrows that can reach up to 6 meters in length, often located on forested islands.
To feed their young, adults can carry up to 20 small fish at a time crosswise in their bills.

Habitat

Pelagic and coastal waters; nests in excavated burrows on grassy or forested offshore islands.

Range

The North Pacific, ranging from California to Alaska and across to Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Heard a Rhinoceros Auklet?

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Identify a bird by its song