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

Lesser Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna javanica

A small, gregarious waterfowl species native to South and Southeast Asia, characterized by its chestnut plumage and distinct whistling calls during flight.

What it sounds like

A clear, thin, multi-syllabic whistling 'seasick-seasick' or 'wee-wee' sound, often delivered in flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. FREDERIC Lionel · ThailandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is primarily nocturnal, often spending the day roosting and flying to feeding grounds at dusk.
Unlike many ducks, it is highly arboreal and frequently perches on trees or utilizes tree hollows for nesting.
The species is known for forming massive social flocks during the non-breeding season, sometimes numbering in the thousands.
Both parents participate in the incubation of eggs and the rearing of ducklings, showing strong biparental care.
The whistling sound is produced both vocally and by the movement of specialized wing feathers during flight.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands, marshes, flooded rice paddies, and ponds with dense vegetation.

Range

South Asia and Southeast Asia, ranging from India and Sri Lanka to Southern China and Indonesia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalis Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolor Lesser Whistling-DuckDendrocygna javanica Plumed Whistling-DuckDendrocygna eytoni Spotted Whistling-DuckDendrocygna guttata Wandering Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arcuata West Indian Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arborea White-faced Whistling-DuckDendrocygna viduata

Heard a Lesser Whistling-Duck?

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