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

Australian Shelduck

Tadorna tadornoides

The Australian Shelduck is a large, goose-like duck endemic to Australia, recognized by its striking dark plumage, chestnut breast, and white neck collar.

What it sounds like

A loud, resonant honking; males emit a low-pitched 'zonk-zonk' while females produce a higher-pitched, more frequent 'wark-wark'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:25

Rec. Nick Talbot · AustraliaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Females are distinguished by a white ring around the eye and the base of the bill, while males lack these white facial markings.
They are primarily cavity nesters, often selecting large tree hollows situated up to 20 meters above the ground.
Following the breeding season, adults undergo a synchronous molt of flight feathers, rendering them flightless for several weeks on open water.
Precocial ducklings must leap from their high nesting hollows to the ground shortly after hatching to follow parents to water.
While they utilize wetlands, they are significant terrestrial grazers, frequently feeding on clover and grasses in agricultural pastures.

Habitat

Freshwater lakes, brackish estuaries, and open grasslands or agricultural fields.

Range

Southern and Western Australia, and Tasmania.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Common ShelduckTadorna tadorna Crested ShelduckTadorna cristata Paradise ShelduckTadorna variegata Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea South African ShelduckTadorna cana

Heard a Australian Shelduck?

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