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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata

A visually striking perching duck native to East Asia, famous for the male's ornate, multi-colored plumage and distinctive orange 'sail' feathers.

What it sounds like

A rising, sharp whistle 'uib' from the male and a soft, muffled cluck from the female.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / --:--

Rec. Bo Shunqi 薄顺奇 · ChinaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Males possess large, orange 'sail' feathers which are actually modified inner secondaries used in courtship displays.
They are cavity nesters, often selecting tree hollows up to 30 feet above the ground near water sources.
The species is highly maneuverable in flight, capable of navigating through dense woodland canopies with ease.
In East Asian culture, they are revered as symbols of lifelong fidelity and are frequently featured in traditional wedding art.
While native to East Asia, significant feral populations have successfully established themselves across the United Kingdom and Europe.

Habitat

Densely forested edges of shallow lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers.

Range

Native to China, Japan, Korea, and Eastern Russia; introduced populations in Europe and North America.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Wood DuckAix sponsa

Heard a Mandarin 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