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

White-faced Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

A striking, gregarious waterfowl known for its distinctive white facial mask and clear, multi-note whistling vocalizations.

What it sounds like

A clear, high-pitched, three-note whistle often transcribed as 'sip-sip-siew'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:31

Rec. Bernard BOUSQUET · UgandaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

This species exhibits an unusual disjunct distribution, occurring naturally across both sub-Saharan Africa and South America.
Unlike most ducks, they are highly social and engage in frequent mutual preening (allopreening) to reinforce social bonds.
They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular feeders, often flying to foraging grounds in large flocks at dusk.
Their long legs and upright posture are characteristic of the whistling-duck lineage, which is taxonomically intermediate between geese and 'true' ducks.
During the dry season, they can congregate in massive colonial flocks that sometimes number in the tens of thousands.

Habitat

Freshwater wetlands, including lakes, rivers, marshes, and flooded grasslands.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and Madagascar.

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 Wandering Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arcuata West Indian Whistling-DuckDendrocygna arborea

Heard a White-faced Whistling-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