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

Madagascar Wagtail

Motacilla flaviventris

The Madagascar Wagtail is a slender, endemic passerine known for its striking yellow underparts and the characteristic rhythmic pumping of its long tail. It is a conspicuous and adaptable bird, frequently found near freshwater sources and human-modified landscapes across the island.

What it sounds like

A sharp, high-pitched 'tsiep' or 'tsee-ee', typically delivered in flight or as an alarm.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Albert Lastukhin · MadagascarCC BY-NC-ND Xeno-canto

Field notes

It is the only member of the Motacilla genus that is entirely endemic to Madagascar.
Adults are distinguished by a prominent black crescent-shaped band across their white breast.
The species is highly territorial and is often seen chasing intruders away from its preferred foraging grounds.
It has adapted exceptionally well to human presence, often nesting in gardens, on buildings, and near rice paddies.
Their diet is primarily insectivorous, consisting of small flies, beetles, and larvae gleaned from the ground or water's edge.

Habitat

Open areas near water, including riverbanks, lake shores, marshes, gardens, and urban parks.

Range

Madagascar (island-wide endemic)

Similar & commonly confused birds

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

Heard a Madagascar Wagtail?

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