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

Vega Gull

Larus vegae

The Vega Gull is a large, robust member of the herring gull complex native to Northeast Asia, characterized by its medium-grey upperparts and dark-mottled eyes.

What it sounds like

A loud, raucous, nasal 'laughing' series, typically deeper and more resonant than that of the European Herring Gull.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 5:57

Rec. Richard E. Webster · MongoliaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

While traditionally linked to the Herring Gull, it is often treated as a distinct species or a subspecies within the Larus smithsonianus/vegae complex.
Unlike many of its relatives, the Vega Gull typically exhibits a dark or heavily speckled iris rather than a clear pale yellow one.
In winter, adults develop exceptionally heavy brown streaking on the head and neck, often more pronounced than in other large white-headed gulls.
The 'Birula's Gull' (Larus vegae birulai) is a recognized variant or subspecies that often displays yellow legs instead of the typical pink.
During the breeding season, it is highly territorial on the Siberian tundra, but becomes a gregarious scavenger in East Asian harbors during winter.

Habitat

Arctic tundra and rocky islands for breeding; coastal estuaries, harbors, and beaches during the non-breeding season.

Range

Breeds in Northeastern Siberia; winters along the coasts of Japan, Korea, and Eastern China.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American Herring GullLarus smithsonianus Armenian GullLarus armenicus Belcher's GullLarus belcheri Black-tailed GullLarus crassirostris California GullLarus californicus Caspian GullLarus cachinnans Common GullLarus canus European Herring GullLarus argentatus

Heard a Vega Gull?

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