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

Hardhead

Aythya australis

The Hardhead is Australia's only true diving duck, characterized by its deep chocolate-brown plumage and conspicuous white underwing patches visible in flight.

What it sounds like

Usually silent, but males may produce a soft, wheezy whistle during courtship, while females emit a harsh, low croak.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Andrew Spencer · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the sole representative of the diving duck genus Aythya native to the Australian continent.
Adult males possess a striking white iris, a feature that earned the species the alternative name 'White-eyed Duck'.
The name 'Hardhead' originated from early taxidermists who found the bird's skull remarkably difficult to process.
Unlike most Australian ducks, they rarely come ashore and prefer to spend nearly all their time on open water.
They are highly nomadic and can travel thousands of kilometers to exploit temporary inland water sources following heavy rains.

Habitat

Deep, permanent freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and heavily vegetated swamps; occasionally found in brackish coastal lagoons.

Range

Widespread across Australia, particularly in the south-east, with populations also in New Guinea, New Zealand, and Pacific islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Hardhead?

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