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

New Zealand Scaup

Aythya novaeseelandiae

The New Zealand Scaup, also known as the Pāpango, is a small, dark-plumaged diving duck endemic to New Zealand's freshwater habitats. It is characterized by its compact shape and the male's distinctive bright yellow iris.

What it sounds like

Males emit a soft, high-pitched whistle during courtship; females produce a low, raspy 'quack' or growl.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Nathan El · New ZealandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the Aythya genus endemic to New Zealand.
Unlike many other waterfowl, it does not have a white wing bar (speculum), appearing entirely dark in flight.
The species can dive for up to a minute, reaching depths of three meters to forage for snails and aquatic larvae.
During winter, individuals often congregate in large, tight-knit groups known as rafts on open water.
The Māori name Pāpango refers to its dark coloration, with 'pango' meaning black.

Habitat

Deep, clear freshwater lakes, lowland ponds, and occasionally slow-moving rivers.

Range

Endemic to New Zealand, distributed across both the North and South Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Baer's PochardAythya baeri CanvasbackAythya valisineria Common PochardAythya ferina Ferruginous DuckAythya nyroca Greater ScaupAythya marila HardheadAythya australis Lesser ScaupAythya affinis Madagascar PochardAythya innotata

Heard a New Zealand Scaup?

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Identify a bird by its song