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

Ridgway's Rail

Rallus obsoletus

The Ridgway's Rail is a large, secretive salt marsh bird of the Pacific Coast, characterized by its hen-like appearance and long, slightly decurved bill.

What it sounds like

A loud, rhythmic series of dry 'kek-kek-kek' or 'clapper' notes that often accelerate and then slow down.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:58

Rec. Scott Olmstead · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was historically considered a subspecies of the Clapper Rail before being recognized as a distinct species in 2014.
The species possesses specialized salt glands that allow it to drink seawater and excrete excess salt through its nostrils.
Unlike many other rail species, Ridgway's Rails are predominantly non-migratory, remaining in their coastal territories year-round.
They are highly adapted to tidal cycles, often building elevated nests with 'canopies' to protect eggs from high tides and aerial predators.
The San Francisco Bay subspecies is federally endangered, facing severe threats from habitat loss and rising sea levels.

Habitat

Coastal salt marshes and brackish sloughs dominated by cordgrass and pickleweed.

Range

Pacific coast from the San Francisco Bay south to Baja California and the Gulf of California.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African RailRallus caerulescens Austral RailRallus antarcticus Aztec RailRallus tenuirostris Bogota RailRallus semiplumbeus Brown-cheeked RailRallus indicus Clapper RailRallus crepitans Ecuadorian RailRallus aequatorialis King RailRallus elegans

Heard a Ridgway's Rail?

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