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 Reef-Heron

Egretta gularis

A medium-sized coastal heron distinguished by its dimorphic plumage and active, often frantic foraging behavior in shallow saltwater.

What it sounds like

Generally silent, but emits a low, harsh, guttural croak or squawk when disturbed or at breeding colonies.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Alain Malengreau · OmanCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It occurs in two distinct color morphs: a dark slaty-grey phase and a pure white phase.
Unlike many herons, it has a slightly thicker, downward-curved bill adapted for capturing prey in turbulent coastal waters.
It frequently engages in 'canopy feeding,' using its wings to create shade and reduce glare on the water's surface to better see fish.
The species is known to hybridize with the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), leading to intermediate plumage variations.
Its bright yellow feet contrast sharply with dark legs, a trait it uses to stir up sediment and flush out small crustaceans.

Habitat

Exclusively coastal environments including rocky shores, sandy beaches, mudflats, and mangrove swamps.

Range

Coastal West Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and eastward along the Indian subcontinent to Sri Lanka.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black HeronEgretta ardesiaca Chinese EgretEgretta eulophotes Little Blue HeronEgretta caerulea Little EgretEgretta garzetta Pacific Reef-HeronEgretta sacra Pied HeronEgretta picata Reddish EgretEgretta rufescens Slaty EgretEgretta vinaceigula

Heard a Western Reef-Heron?

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