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

White-capped Albatross

Thalassarche cauta

The White-capped Albatross is the largest of the mollymawks, distinguished by its white crown, pale grey face, and impressive wingspan. It is a highly pelagic seabird that spends the vast majority of its life over the open southern oceans.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent at sea; at breeding colonies, it emits a variety of harsh croaks, braying cackles, and rhythmic bill-clattering.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Barry Edmonston · New ZealandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest member of the genus Thalassarche, with a wingspan reaching up to 2.6 meters.
The species breeds almost exclusively on three remote islands off the coast of Tasmania: Albatross Island, Mewstone, and Pedra Branca.
Unlike many other albatross species, it is an adept diver, capable of reaching depths of over 5 meters to pursue prey.
They are long-lived birds that typically form lifelong monogamous pair bonds and return to the same nest site annually.
It is currently classified as Near Threatened, primarily due to significant mortality rates from commercial longline and trawl fishing bycatch.

Habitat

Pelagic open waters and rocky, precipitous offshore islands for nesting.

Range

Southern Oceans, ranging from Australia and New Zealand to the coasts of South Africa and South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Atlantic Yellow-nosed AlbatrossThalassarche chlororhynchos Black-browed AlbatrossThalassarche melanophris Buller's AlbatrossThalassarche bulleri Chatham AlbatrossThalassarche eremita Gray-headed AlbatrossThalassarche chrysostoma Indian Yellow-nosed AlbatrossThalassarche carteri Salvin's AlbatrossThalassarche salvini

Heard a White-capped Albatross?

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