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

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

A large, slender seabird distinguished by its massive orange bill and shaggy black crest, frequently seen patrolling coastlines with graceful, powerful flight.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, and raspy 'keer-reet' or a shrill 'kree-er'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 3:28

Rec. Tristan Guillebot de Nerville · French GuianaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the second-largest tern species in the world, trailing only the Caspian Tern in size.
During the non-breeding season, the black cap recedes, leaving a distinctive white forehead and a 'balding' appearance.
Parental birds can pinpoint their own chicks within a dense 'crèche' of hundreds of youngsters using unique vocal signatures.
Unlike many other tern species, the Royal Tern is almost strictly coastal and is rarely found on inland bodies of water.
They often dive for prey from heights of up to 30 feet, plunging into the water to catch small fish and crustaceans.

Habitat

Sandy beaches, barrier islands, salt marshes, and coastal estuaries.

Range

Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas, from the southern United States to Argentina, and the coast of West Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chinese Crested TernThalasseus bernsteini Elegant TernThalasseus elegans Great Crested TernThalasseus bergii Lesser Crested TernThalasseus bengalensis Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis West African Crested TernThalasseus albididorsalis

Heard a Royal Tern?

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