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

Sungrebe

Heliornis fulica

A small, secretive aquatic bird of the Neotropics, the Sungrebe is the only member of the genus Heliornis and is uniquely adapted for life in forested waterways.

What it sounds like

A series of low, rhythmic barking or yelping notes, often described as 'ee-goh-goh-goh' or a sharp 'kak'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The male possesses specialized skin pouches under its wings used to carry altricial chicks, even during flight.
It has an exceptionally short incubation period of only 10 to 11 days, among the shortest of any bird.
Unlike many waterbirds, the chicks are born nearly naked and helpless, requiring the father's pouch for protection.
Its feet are boldly patterned with yellow and black stripes and feature lobed toes rather than full webbing.
Though it resembles a grebe or a rail, it belongs to the distinct family Heliornithidae, known as finfoots.

Habitat

Slow-moving tropical rivers, secluded forested streams, and freshwater swamps with dense overhanging vegetation.

Range

Tropical Americas, ranging from southern Mexico through Central America to northeastern Argentina.

Heard a Sungrebe?

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