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

Southern Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialoides

A large, pale gray petrel of the Southern Ocean, the Southern Fulmar is a robust seabird characterized by its gull-like appearance and stiff-winged gliding flight.

What it sounds like

A series of harsh, guttural cackles and nasal grunts, frequently performed during social displays or food disputes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Santiago Imberti · ArgentinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It possesses specialized nasal tubes that house salt glands, allowing it to excrete excess salt after drinking seawater.
As a defense mechanism, it can accurately spit a foul-smelling, waxy stomach oil at potential predators or intruders.
The species is highly social and often follows fishing vessels in large flocks to scavenge for offal and discards.
Unlike many other petrels, Southern Fulmars are active during the day at their breeding colonies.
They are long-lived birds, with some individuals reaching over 20 years of age in the wild.

Habitat

Pelagic open waters, pack ice zones, and steep rocky coastal cliffs for nesting.

Range

Circumpolar distribution throughout the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, migrating as far north as Peru and South Africa during winter.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Northern FulmarFulmarus glacialis

Heard a Southern Fulmar?

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