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

Southern Pochard

Netta erythrophthalma

A medium-sized diving duck known for its dark, velvety plumage and the male's striking ruby-red eyes.

What it sounds like

Mostly silent; males produce a soft, wheezy 'whirrr' whistle, while females give a low, raspy 'karr' quack.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:13

Rec. Nature sounds by Simply Birding · South AfricaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It has a highly disjunct distribution with two subspecies separated by the Atlantic Ocean in South America and Africa.
Unlike many other diving ducks, its diet is almost exclusively vegetarian, consisting of the seeds and stems of aquatic plants.
The species is highly nomadic, frequently traveling hundreds of kilometers to exploit temporary wetlands created by seasonal rains.
Males exhibit a unique 'head-up' display during courtship, stretching their necks vertically while emitting soft whistles.
While appearing nearly black at a distance, the male's feathers are actually a deep chocolate brown with a subtle purple sheen on the head.

Habitat

Deep freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and marshes with abundant submerged vegetation and open water.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa and localized areas of South America from Colombia to northwestern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Red-crested PochardNetta rufina Rosy-billed PochardNetta peposaca

Heard a Southern Pochard?

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