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-tailed Waxbill

Glaucestrilda perreini

A small, elusive estrildid finch distinguished by its soft grey plumage, contrasting red rump, and deep black tail.

What it sounds like

Thin, high-pitched 'psee-psee' whistles and soft, sharp 'tsit' contact notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Dries Van de Loock · ZambiaCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is one of the few waxbill species where the sexes are monomorphic, meaning males and females look nearly identical.
The species is notably shy compared to other waxbills, typically remaining hidden within dense foliage or tangled creepers.
They construct elaborate oval-shaped grass nests that often feature a long, downward-sloping entrance tunnel to deter predators.
While primarily granivorous, they actively hunt small insects and termites during the breeding season to provide protein for their chicks.
The Black-tailed Waxbill is usually observed in pairs or small family groups rather than the large, nomadic flocks common to other estrildids.

Habitat

Moist forest edges, riparian thickets, and humid woodland-savanna mosaics.

Range

Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Angola and the southern DRC to Mozambique and eastern South Africa.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Cinderella WaxbillGlaucestrilda thomensis Lavender WaxbillGlaucestrilda caerulescens

Heard a Black-tailed Waxbill?

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