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

Western Grebe

Aechmophorus occidentalis

A large, elegant waterbird characterized by its long swan-like neck, striking black-and-white plumage, and vivid red eyes.

What it sounds like

A loud, piercing, two-note 'kree-creet' used for contact and advertising.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 15:13

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

Field notes

Famous for the 'rushing' courtship display where pairs run across the water's surface in perfect synchronization.
Engages in 'back-brooding,' where chicks ride on the parents' backs immediately after hatching to stay warm and safe.
Possesses a specialized 'hinge' in its neck vertebrae that allows for high-velocity underwater fish spearing.
Ingests its own feathers to create a protective lining in the stomach against sharp fish bones and parasites.
Distinguished from the nearly identical Clark's Grebe by black facial feathers that extend below the eye line.

Habitat

Large freshwater lakes and marshes for breeding; coastal bays, estuaries, and open ocean during winter.

Range

Western North America, ranging from south-central Canada through the western United States to Mexico.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Clark's GrebeAechmophorus clarkii

Heard a Western Grebe?

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