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

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

The Mallard is a ubiquitous dabbling duck and the primary ancestor of nearly all domestic duck breeds, characterized by the male's iconic iridescent green head.

What it sounds like

Females produce the classic loud, descending 'quack,' while males have a softer, raspier, low-pitched call.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · ChinaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Mallards are 'dabbling ducks,' meaning they feed by tipping forward in the water rather than diving.
Almost all domestic duck breeds descend from the Mallard, with the exception of the Muscovy duck.
Both sexes possess a distinctive iridescent blue wing patch known as a speculum, which is bordered by white bars.
They are highly gregarious and frequently hybridize with other waterfowl, which can pose a genetic threat to less common species.
During migration, Mallards can reach flight speeds of up to 55 miles per hour and have been recorded at altitudes of 10,000 feet.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes, and urban parks.

Range

Widespread across the Northern Hemisphere (North America, Europe, Asia); introduced to Australia, New Zealand, and South America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

African Black DuckAnas sparsa American Black DuckAnas rubripes Andaman TealAnas albogularis Andean TealAnas andium Auckland Islands TealAnas aucklandica Bernier's TealAnas bernieri Brown TealAnas chlorotis Campbell Islands TealAnas nesiotis

Heard a Mallard?

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