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

Blue-billed Teal

Spatula hottentota

The Blue-billed Teal, also known as the Hottentot Teal, is a small, secretive dabbling duck distinctive for its contrasting dark cap and namesake blue bill.

What it sounds like

Usually silent, but males produce a soft, clicking 'ke-ke-ke' during displays, and females give a faint, thin quack.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:07

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

Field notes

It is the smallest duck species on the African continent, weighing as little as 220 grams.
The species is highly nomadic rather than migratory, moving long distances to exploit ephemeral wetlands created by seasonal rains.
Unlike many ducks, it remains relatively sedentary and quiet during the day, often hiding in dense shoreline vegetation.
Its diet is omnivorous, consisting of grass seeds, aquatic plants, and a variety of small invertebrates like insect larvae and crustaceans.
The distinctive blue bill is present in both sexes, though the plumage is largely similar with only subtle sexual dimorphism.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, shallow lakes, flooded grasslands, and seasonal pools with abundant floating vegetation.

Range

Eastern and Southern Africa, ranging from Ethiopia to South Africa, with a distinct population in Madagascar.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Australasian ShovelerSpatula rhynchotis Blue-winged TealSpatula discors Cape ShovelerSpatula smithii Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanoptera GarganeySpatula querquedula Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata Puna TealSpatula puna Red ShovelerSpatula platalea

Heard a Blue-billed Teal?

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