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

Japanese Wagtail

Motacilla grandis

The Japanese Wagtail is a striking black-and-white passerine and the largest member of the Motacilla genus, primarily endemic to the Japanese archipelago.

What it sounds like

A sharp, metallic 'bi-di' or 'twee' flight call; the song is a series of loud, slightly harsh warbling notes.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Markus Jacobs · JapanCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the largest species of wagtail in the world, measuring up to 21 centimeters in length.
Unlike many other wagtails, it is highly dependent on permanent freshwater and rarely strays far from riverbanks.
It is distinguished from the similar White Wagtail by its black throat and a white eyebrow that does not extend past the eye.
The species is largely non-migratory, maintaining territories along Japanese waterways throughout the winter.
It exhibits aggressive territorial behavior, often chasing away other wagtails and even larger bird species from its feeding grounds.

Habitat

Edges of fast-flowing rivers, streams, lake margins, and occasionally urban parks with water features.

Range

Endemic to Japan, including Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido, with rare occurrences in Korea and Taiwan.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Japanese 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