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

Brown Teal

Anas chlorotis

The Brown Teal, also known by its Māori name Pāteke, is a small, endemic New Zealand dabbling duck characterized by its cryptic brown plumage and predominantly nocturnal lifestyle.

What it sounds like

Males produce a soft, high-pitched whistle, while females communicate with low, raspy quacks and growls.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 1:33

Rec. Sam Hill · New ZealandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the rarest of New Zealand's mainland waterfowl and was once on the brink of extinction.
Unlike many other duck species, Pāteke are highly territorial and will defend their home range throughout the year.
They are largely nocturnal, a behavioral adaptation likely developed to avoid diurnal avian predators and reduce competition.
The species has a specialized diet including terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and even small fruits.
Massive conservation efforts, including captive breeding and intensive predator control, have successfully expanded their range back to parts of the mainland.

Habitat

Lowland wetlands, slow-moving streams, and swampy forests with dense overhead cover for daytime roosting.

Range

Endemic to New Zealand, with key populations on Great Barrier Island, Northland, and various predator-free offshore islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Black DuckAnas sparsa American Black DuckAnas rubripes Andaman TealAnas albogularis Andean TealAnas andium Auckland Islands TealAnas aucklandica Bernier's TealAnas bernieri Campbell Islands TealAnas nesiotis Cape TealAnas capensis

Heard a Brown 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