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

West African Crested Tern

Thalasseus albididorsalis

The West African Crested Tern is a large, pale seabird characterized by its bright orange-yellow bill and elegant, shaggy crest. Recently split from the Royal Tern, it is a specialist of the productive coastal waters along the Atlantic coast of Africa.

What it sounds like

A loud, grating, and raucous 'kree-uk' or 'kar-reet' frequently uttered during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Bram Piot · SenegalCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Previously considered a subspecies of the Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus), it was elevated to species status based on genetic and plumage differences.
It is distinguished from its American relative by its paler grey upperparts and a slightly smaller, more slender bill.
During the non-breeding season, the black cap recedes, leaving a white forehead and a distinctive 'balding' appearance.
The species is highly gregarious, often forming large communal roosts with other terns and gulls on sandbars.
It relies heavily on the Canary and Benguela Current upwellings for a steady supply of small pelagic fish like sardines and anchovies.

Habitat

Coastal beaches, estuaries, lagoons, and offshore sandbanks.

Range

The Atlantic coast of West Africa, ranging from Mauritania south to Namibia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Chinese Crested TernThalasseus bernsteini Elegant TernThalasseus elegans Great Crested TernThalasseus bergii Lesser Crested TernThalasseus bengalensis Royal TernThalasseus maximus Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis

Heard a West African Crested Tern?

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