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

Ruddy-headed Goose

Chloephaga rubidiceps

The Ruddy-headed Goose is the smallest member of the sheldgoose genus, notable for its rich chestnut-colored head and finely barred plumage. It exists in two distinct populations: a stable group in the Falkland Islands and a critically endangered migratory group in mainland South America.

What it sounds like

Males emit a soft, thin whistle, while females produce a harsh, low-pitched rattling cackle.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:28

Rec. Andrew Spencer · ChileCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only species in the Chloephaga genus where males and females exhibit nearly identical plumage.
The mainland population is critically endangered, largely due to predation by the introduced South American Gray Fox.
Unlike many geese, it prefers to nest in long grass or among bushes rather than directly at the water's edge.
Mainland individuals are highly migratory, traveling from Tierra del Fuego to wintering grounds in the pampas of Buenos Aires Province.
They are primarily grazers, feeding on short grasses, sedges, and occasionally agricultural crops like wheat.

Habitat

Tussock grasslands, damp meadows, and open pastures near freshwater.

Range

Southernmost South America (Chile and Argentina) and the Falkland Islands.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Ashy-headed GooseChloephaga poliocephala Kelp GooseChloephaga hybrida Kelp GooseChloephaga hybrida Upland GooseChloephaga picta

Heard a Ruddy-headed Goose?

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