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

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

The Swallow-tailed Kite is a distinctive, acrobatic raptor recognized by its deeply forked tail and elegant black-and-white plumage. It is renowned for its graceful, near-constant flight and ability to feed almost entirely while on the wing.

What it sounds like

High-pitched, thin, rapid whistling 'klee-klee-klee' or 'pwee-pwee-pwee' notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Daan van der Hoeven · EcuadorCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is capable of eating, drinking, and even bathing by skimming the water's surface without ever stopping its flight.
The species is highly social for a raptor, frequently nesting in loose colonies or clusters known as 'neighborhoods.'
It uses its deeply forked tail as a constant rudder, allowing for precise aerial maneuvers without the need for frequent wing flapping.
A significant portion of its diet consists of stinging insects, such as wasps and bees, often snatched directly from hanging nests.
These birds perform a massive transcontinental migration, traveling from the southeastern United States to South America every year.

Habitat

Lowland wetlands, cypress swamps, and riparian forests adjacent to open marshes or wet prairies.

Range

Breeds in the southeastern United States and Central/South America; winters primarily in South America.

Heard a Swallow-tailed Kite?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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