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

Wandering Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna arcuata

A gregarious, long-necked waterfowl known for its upright stance and melodious whistling calls in flight. It is highly aquatic, frequently diving for submerged vegetation in tropical wetlands.

What it sounds like

A distinctive, high-pitched, multi-note whistling or twittering sound, often uttered continuously during flight.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Peter Boesman · AustraliaCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

Unlike most other whistling-ducks, this species is a capable diver, plunging underwater to forage for seeds and aquatic plants.
They are highly social birds, often forming massive flocks numbering in the thousands during the dry season.
The species name 'arcuata' refers to the arched or bow-like shape of the distinct dark markings on its plumage.
They lack sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females are nearly identical in appearance and plumage.
During the breeding season, they nest on the ground in tall grass or thickets, usually near water but occasionally some distance away.

Habitat

Deep freshwater lagoons, flooded grasslands, and permanent swamps with abundant floating vegetation.

Range

Tropical regions of Northern and Eastern Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Black-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalis Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolor Lesser Whistling-DuckDendrocygna javanica Lesser Whistling-DuckDendrocygna javanica Plumed Whistling-DuckDendrocygna eytoni Spotted Whistling-DuckDendrocygna guttata West Indian Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arborea White-faced Whistling-DuckDendrocygna viduata

Heard a Wandering Whistling-Duck?

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Identify a bird by its song