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

Common Pochard

Aythya ferina

A medium-sized diving duck known for its distinctive peaked head profile and the male's striking tri-colored plumage. It is a highly gregarious species that often forms large, dense rafts on open water during the winter.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent; males produce a low, wheezing 'wi-vveeeoo' whistle during courtship, while females give a harsh, rattling 'kurr-kurr'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:20

Rec. Maurizio Sighele (maudoc) · ItalyCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

The species is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to significant population declines across its Palearctic range.
Males exhibit a signature chestnut-red head, black breast, and pale grey flanks, while females are more cryptically colored in brownish-grey.
It is primarily a nocturnal feeder, diving to reach submerged aquatic plants, mollusks, and insect larvae in shallow waters.
During the post-breeding molt, males become flightless and congregate in massive 'molt migrations' to large, safe water bodies.
Courtship involves a unique 'head-throw' display by the male, accompanied by a soft, wheezing whistle to attract females.

Habitat

Shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with rich vegetation; winters on large reservoirs and coastal lagoons.

Range

Breeds across temperate Eurasia from Western Europe to Central Asia; winters in Southern Europe, North Africa, and South Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Baer's PochardAythya baeri CanvasbackAythya valisineria Ferruginous DuckAythya nyroca Greater ScaupAythya marila HardheadAythya australis Lesser ScaupAythya affinis Madagascar PochardAythya innotata New Zealand ScaupAythya novaeseelandiae

Heard a Common Pochard?

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