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

Shore Plover

Thinornis novaeseelandiae

The Shore Plover, or Tūturuatu, is a critically endangered small wader endemic to New Zealand, notable for its striking black facial mask and orange-based bill.

What it sounds like

A sharp, repetitive 'chip' or 'peet' contact call, and a more complex whistling song during territorial displays.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:31

Rec. David Boyle · New ZealandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the world's rarest shorebirds, once reduced to a single surviving population on South East Island in the Chathams.
Unlike many other plovers, this species is highly sedentary and rarely moves far from its established coastal territory.
The species is exceptionally vulnerable to introduced predators because it evolved without them and lacks effective avoidance behaviors.
Pairs are typically monogamous and can remain together for several years, defending their territory year-round.
They use a specialized 'foot-trembling' technique to vibrate the ground and flush out small crustacean prey.

Habitat

Exposed rocky shorelines, wave-washed rock platforms, and coastal salt marshes.

Range

Endemic to New Zealand; currently restricted to the Chatham Islands and several predator-free offshore 'insurance' islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-fronted DotterelThinornis melanops Forbes's PloverThinornis forbesi Hooded PloverThinornis cucullatus Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubius Long-billed PloverThinornis placidus Three-banded PloverThinornis tricollaris Three-banded PloverThinornis tricollaris

Heard a Shore Plover?

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