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

African Pied Wagtail

Motacilla aguimp

A bold, strikingly black-and-white passerine known for its constant tail-wagging and affinity for both waterbodies and human-modified landscapes.

What it sounds like

A loud, ringing 'tu-wee' contact call and a complex, melodious whistling song.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:29

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

Field notes

It is the largest species of wagtail, reaching up to 20 centimeters in length.
The species is highly territorial and typically remains with the same mate in a permanent territory.
It frequently nests in man-made structures, including bridges, buildings, and even moored boats.
While primarily insectivorous, it has been observed scavenging for human food scraps and hunting small fish.
Unlike many European wagtails, the African Pied Wagtail is largely non-migratory across its range.

Habitat

Open areas near water, such as riverbanks, lake shores, dams, and urban gardens.

Range

Widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia and south to the Cape.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cape WagtailMotacilla capensis Citrine WagtailMotacilla citreola Eastern Yellow WagtailMotacilla tschutschensis Gray WagtailMotacilla cinerea Japanese WagtailMotacilla grandis Japanese WagtailMotacilla grandis Madagascar WagtailMotacilla flaviventris Mekong WagtailMotacilla samveasnae

Heard a African Pied Wagtail?

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