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

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

A long-legged, boisterous waterfowl characterized by its striking chestnut plumage, black underparts, and vibrant coral-pink bill.

What it sounds like

A high-pitched, multi-syllabic whistling 'pe-che-che-ne' often given in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:09

Rec. Manuel Sánchez-Nivicela · EcuadorCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unusually for ducks, they are highly arboreal and frequently perch on branches or fences.
They form long-term, monogamous pair bonds that can last for several years.
Both males and females share the responsibility of incubating eggs, a rare trait among waterfowl.
They are primarily nocturnal foragers, often flying to agricultural fields at night to feed on grain and seeds.
They are cavity nesters that readily utilize man-made boxes but will also nest on the ground if no trees are available.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater lagoons, marshes, and flooded agricultural fields.

Range

Southern United States through Mexico and Central America to northern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolor Lesser Whistling-DuckDendrocygna javanica Lesser Whistling-DuckDendrocygna javanica Plumed Whistling-DuckDendrocygna eytoni Spotted Whistling-DuckDendrocygna guttata Wandering Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arcuata West Indian Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arborea White-faced Whistling-DuckDendrocygna viduata

Heard a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck?

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

Identify a bird by its song