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

Amsterdam Duck

Mareca marecula

An extinct, flightless dabbling duck endemic to a remote volcanic island in the southern Indian Ocean.

What it sounds like

Unknown, but likely a variation of the whistling calls characteristic of the genus Mareca.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

No reference call found yet · Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is known primarily from subfossil remains discovered in volcanic craters on Amsterdam Island.
The species exhibited island dwarfism and had significantly reduced wings, rendering it completely flightless.
It was closely related to the Eurasian Wigeon but evolved in total isolation for thousands of years.
The duck likely went extinct by the early 19th century due to habitat loss, hunting by sealers, and introduced rats.
Historical accounts from 1793 by John Barrow describe 'small brown ducks' which are believed to be this species.

Habitat

Marshy areas and small freshwater ponds within volcanic craters.

Range

Amsterdam Island (Île Amsterdam), French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

American WigeonMareca americana Chiloe WigeonMareca sibilatrix Eurasian WigeonMareca penelope Falcated DuckMareca falcata GadwallMareca strepera

Heard a Amsterdam Duck?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

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