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

Masked Duck

Nomonyx dominicus

The Masked Duck is a small, secretive stifftail of the American tropics, noted for the male's vibrant blue bill and distinctive black facial mask. It is famously elusive, often remaining hidden within dense aquatic vegetation to avoid detection.

What it sounds like

Generally silent, but males produce a repetitive, low-pitched 'kirri-kirroo' or rhythmic clucking during courtship.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Fernando Igor de Godoy · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the sole member of the genus Nomonyx, representing an evolutionary link between primitive ducks and the stifftail tribe.
Unlike most other stifftail ducks, the Masked Duck can take flight directly from the water surface without a long running start.
They frequently practice 'snorkeling,' swimming with only their eyes and bill above the waterline to stay concealed.
The male's striking sky-blue bill color is a seasonal trait, fading to a duller hue during the non-breeding period.
Populations are highly nomadic and often colonize ephemeral wetlands following heavy tropical rainfall events.

Habitat

Freshwater marshes, swamps, and ponds with dense emergent vegetation or thick mats of floating plants like water hyacinth.

Range

Tropical and subtropical Americas, ranging from the Caribbean and Mexico through South America to northern Argentina.

Heard a Masked 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