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

Steller's Eider

Polysticta stelleri

The Steller's Eider is the smallest and fastest-flying member of the eider family, characterized by its unique plumage and synchronized social foraging.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent; males produce low-pitched, rhythmic growls and soft, melodic 'wa-hooo' croons during courtship.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Andrew Spencer · United StatesCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the sole member of the genus Polysticta, representing a distinct lineage separate from the 'typical' eiders of the genus Somateria.
Foraging flocks exhibit remarkable coordination, often diving and resurfacing in near-perfect synchrony.
The breeding male features a signature 'lipstick' spot—a small, circular black patch—on its tawny-cinnamon flanks.
Unlike larger eiders that require a running start, the Steller's Eider can take flight directly from the water's surface with high agility.
The species is currently listed as Vulnerable due to a significant decline in the Alaskan breeding population and habitat sensitivity.

Habitat

Freshwater tundra ponds and coastal lagoons during breeding; shallow, rocky marine coastlines and bays during winter.

Range

Arctic coasts of Siberia and Alaska; winters primarily in the Bering Sea, the Aleutian Islands, and the northern Baltic Sea.

Heard a Steller's Eider?

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