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

Australasian Darter

Anhinga novaehollandiae

A large, slender waterbird characterized by its long, S-shaped neck and pointed bill, often seen drying its wings while perched near water.

What it sounds like

Generally silent, but emits harsh, rhythmic clicking or guttural croaking sounds when at nesting colonies.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:58

Rec. Peter Boesman · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Commonly called the 'snakebird' because its body submerges while swimming, leaving only its undulating neck visible above the surface.
Lacks waterproof preen oils, which reduces buoyancy and allows it to dive more efficiently but necessitates long periods of wing-drying.
It hunts by impaling fish on its sharp, serrated bill using a specialized 'trigger' mechanism in its neck vertebrae.
Displays strong sexual dimorphism, with males having dark plumage and females featuring a distinct pale throat and breast.
The species is highly expert at thermoregulation, often using its spread-wing posture to absorb solar heat after long dives.

Habitat

Freshwater or brackish wetlands, lakes, slow-moving rivers, and occasionally sheltered coastal estuaries.

Range

Mainland Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African DarterAnhinga rufa AnhingaAnhinga anhinga Oriental DarterAnhinga melanogaster

Heard a Australasian Darter?

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