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

Mekong Wagtail

Motacilla samveasnae

The Mekong Wagtail is a specialized, range-restricted passerine characterized by its bold black-and-white plumage and strict affinity for large, fast-flowing river systems. It was formally described by science only in 2001, making it a relatively recent discovery in the ornithological world.

What it sounds like

A sharp, metallic 'tzit' or 'chissick' note, often given in flight, and a melodic song featuring varied trills.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

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Rec. Greg Irving · ThailandCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

It was the first bird species endemic to the Mekong River basin to be scientifically described in over a century.
Unlike many other Motacilla species in Southeast Asia, the Mekong Wagtail is sedentary and does not undergo long-distance migration.
The species is named 'samveasnae' in honor of the late Cambodian conservationist Sam Veasna.
Genetic studies indicate its closest relative is actually the African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp), rather than nearby Asian species.
Its breeding cycle is closely tied to the river's hydrology, with nesting occurring on islands during the low-water dry season.

Habitat

Braided river channels containing exposed rocks, sandbars, and seasonally flooded woody shrubs like Homonoia riparia.

Range

Lower Mekong River basin and major tributaries in Cambodia, Laos, northeast Thailand, and southern Vietnam.

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 Madagascar WagtailMotacilla flaviventris

Heard a Mekong Wagtail?

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