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

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

The Ringed Kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the Americas, distinguished by its massive bill, shaggy crest, and deep rufous underparts. It is a conspicuous and territorial predator often found perched high above large bodies of freshwater or brackish water.

What it sounds like

A loud, harsh, rhythmic rattle that sounds like a rapid series of dry, mechanical 'klek' or 'teck' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · Costa RicaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest kingfisher species in the Western Hemisphere, significantly larger than the similar Belted Kingfisher.
Both males and females use their powerful bills to excavate nesting burrows in vertical riverbanks that can reach depths of up to 8 feet.
Sexual dimorphism is present; females feature a blue-gray breast band that is absent in the males.
While primarily piscivorous, they are known to supplement their diet with amphibians, crustaceans, and small reptiles.
They possess a unique hunting technique where they may hover as high as 50 feet above the water before performing a high-speed vertical dive.

Habitat

Large rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal mangroves with access to steep earthen banks for nesting.

Range

From the Rio Grande Valley in southernmost Texas and Mexico through Central America to Tierra del Fuego in South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Belted KingfisherMegaceryle alcyon Crested KingfisherMegaceryle lugubris Giant KingfisherMegaceryle maxima

Heard a Ringed Kingfisher?

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

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