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

Rufous-necked Wood-Rail

Aramides axillaris

A secretive, medium-sized rail of coastal wetlands, characterized by its vibrant rufous head and neck and contrasting gray underparts.

What it sounds like

A loud, rhythmic series of repetitive 'kip' or 'kek' notes, often delivered as a boisterous duet between pairs.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:26

Rec. Hans Matheve · EcuadorCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Primarily a mangrove specialist, it is more restricted to coastal saline environments than most other wood-rails.
Unlike many rail species, it is frequently arboreal and can be found perched or walking along low mangrove branches.
The species possesses a striking orange-red iris and a distinctive bicolored bill that is yellow-green with a reddish base.
It primarily forages for decapod crustaceans, such as crabs, in the muddy substrate of the intertidal zone.
It is a crepuscular bird, reaching its peak activity levels during the dim light of dawn and dusk.

Habitat

Mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, and adjacent thickets or scrub forests.

Range

Coastal regions from Mexico south through Central America to Ecuador and the Guianas.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Brown Wood-RailAramides wolfi Giant Wood-RailAramides ypecaha Gray-cowled Wood-RailAramides cajaneus Little Wood-RailAramides mangle Red-winged Wood-RailAramides calopterus Red-winged Wood-RailAramides calopterus Russet-naped Wood-RailAramides albiventris Slaty-breasted Wood-RailAramides saracura

Heard a Rufous-necked Wood-Rail?

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