We're here to help. Browse the FAQ below or get in touch directly.
Bird Song NZ records short 3-second audio clips and sends them to our server, which analyses them using BirdNET — one of the world's leading bird sound recognition systems. Results appear on screen within a few seconds.
For best results, get within a few metres of the bird and minimise background noise (wind, traffic, other birds). The app works best outdoors in native bush or quiet gardens.
Make sure you've granted Bird Song NZ microphone permission. Go to Settings → Bird Song NZ → Microphone and ensure it is enabled.
Location is needed for the Nearby tab and to tag sightings. Go to Settings → Bird Song NZ → Location and set it to "While Using the App".
Every bird you identify is saved to My Birds with the date, time, and location. Sign in with your email to sync your sightings across multiple devices.
Tap the logbook tab and then "Sign in". Enter your email address and we'll send you a 6-digit login code — no password required. Sign-in is optional and only needed for cross-device sync.
Email us at [email protected] and we'll delete your account and all associated data within 30 days.
No. Audio clips are sent to our server for analysis only and are deleted immediately afterwards. We never store or listen to your recordings. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Bird Song NZ includes 150+ New Zealand species — from common garden birds like Tūī and Kererū to rare natives like Kōkako and Kiwi.