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

Cape Shoveler

Spatula smithii

The Cape Shoveler is a medium-sized dabbling duck endemic to Southern Africa, most notable for its disproportionately large, spatulate bill. Unlike its northern relatives, it is non-migratory and exhibits limited sexual dimorphism in its mottled brown plumage.

What it sounds like

Generally silent, but males occasionally emit a raspy, rattling 'puk-puk' during courtship, while females give a weak, high-pitched quack.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Nick Talbot · South AfricaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Equipped with specialized lamellae along the bill margins to filter-feed on microscopic plankton and small invertebrates.
Unlike the Northern Shoveler, the male Cape Shoveler lacks a bright green head, retaining a streaked, duller appearance year-round.
It is primarily a sedentary or nomadic species, moving locally in response to water levels rather than performing long-distance migrations.
Pairs are often monogamous, and the species is known to be more territorial than many other dabbling ducks during the breeding season.
The eyes of the adult male are a striking pale yellow, whereas the female's eyes are dark brown.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands, including marshes, lagoons, and sewage ponds.

Range

Southern Africa, primarily South Africa, with populations extending into Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Cape Shoveler?

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