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

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiaca

The Egyptian Goose is a large, distinctive waterbird characterized by its pale plumage, dark chocolate-brown eye patches, and aggressive territorial behavior. Despite its common name, it is taxonomically a member of the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae rather than a true goose.

What it sounds like

A harsh, noisy honking or cackling from the female and a breathy, aspirated hissing sound from the male.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Benjamin Manz · SwitzerlandCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Ancient Egyptians considered this bird sacred and it appeared frequently in their hieroglyphs and artwork.
The species exhibits vocal dimorphism: males produce a raspy, wheezy hiss while females emit a loud, repetitive cackle.
They are highly opportunistic nesters, utilizing tree hollows, cliffs, buildings, or the abandoned nests of other large birds.
They possess a sharp spur on the carpal joint of their wings used as a weapon during territorial disputes.
Despite being native to Africa, they have established significant invasive populations across Europe and the United States.

Habitat

Inland wetlands, rivers, lakes, and open grasslands or agricultural fields near water sources.

Range

Native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Valley; introduced populations thrive in the UK, Netherlands, and Florida.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Mauritius ShelduckAlopochen mauritiana Reunion ShelduckAlopochen kervazoi

Heard a Egyptian Goose?

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Identify a bird by its song