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

Black-headed Lapwing

Vanellus tectus

A striking, crested plover of the African Sahel known for its bold black-and-white facial markings and red wattles.

What it sounds like

A sharp, metallic, and repetitive 'tink-tink' or 'pink-pink' sound.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:38

Rec. Andrew Spencer · EthiopiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Possesses a prominent black crest and small red facial wattles located between the eye and the bill.
Exhibits crepuscular or nocturnal behavior, often foraging and calling during the night.
Nests in a simple scrape on the ground, frequently choosing sites near livestock or human habitation.
Feeds primarily on terrestrial invertebrates such as beetles, ants, and termites.
Engages in aggressive territorial displays, using loud vocalizations and low flights to deter intruders.

Habitat

Dry open country, short-grass savannas, and thorn-scrub.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily the Sahel belt from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to Kenya.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Andean LapwingVanellus resplendens Banded LapwingVanellus tricolor Black-winged LapwingVanellus melanopterus Blacksmith LapwingVanellus armatus Brown-chested LapwingVanellus superciliosus Crowned LapwingVanellus coronatus Gray-headed LapwingVanellus cinereus Javan LapwingVanellus macropterus

Heard a Black-headed Lapwing?

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