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

Ruddy Crake

Laterallus ruber

A small, secretive rail of Central America characterized by its rich chestnut plumage and elusive behavior in dense wetlands.

What it sounds like

A rapid, dry, descending trill or rattle that often lasts several seconds.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:16

Rec. Mario Trejo · El SalvadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Measures only 14 to 16.5 cm in length, making it one of the smaller members of the Rallidae family.
Features a distinctive slate-gray crown and face that contrasts sharply with its deep rufous-brown body.
Constructs a globular nest made of woven grasses with a side entrance, typically hidden low in marsh vegetation.
Primarily crepuscular, it is most active during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk.
Despite its bright coloration, it is notoriously difficult to spot as it rarely flies, preferring to run through thick cover.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and damp grassy fields with tall, dense vegetation.

Range

Humid lowlands of Mexico through Central America to northwest Costa Rica.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black RailLaterallus jamaicensis Dot-winged CrakeLaterallus spiloptera Galapagos RailLaterallus spilonota Gray-breasted CrakeLaterallus exilis Inaccessible Island RailLaterallus rogersi Rufous-sided CrakeLaterallus melanophaius Rusty-flanked CrakeLaterallus levraudi Rusty-flanked CrakeLaterallus levraudi

Heard a Ruddy Crake?

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