The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

Describe what you saw. We’ll narrow the field together.

Question 9 9 possible birds

What SHAPE was the TAIL ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

Square or slightly notched at the end Rounded at the end Pointed or wedge-shaped Forked Unknown

Not completely sure? Choose Unknown when it is available—a careful “I don’t know” is more useful than a guess.

Your observation 8 answers recorded · open to review or change
  1. 1
    What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    Change
  2. 2
    What colour was the THROAT ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    Change
  3. 3
    What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    Change
  4. 4
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    Change
  5. 5
    What colour was the BELLY ? Unknown
    Change
  6. 6
    What colour was the BREAST ? Unknown
    Change
  7. 7
    What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? Broad dark band across the tip
    Change
  8. 8
    What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye
    Change

Leading possibilities

9 possibilities remain

2 rules inferred
  1. 1

    Chestnut-collared Longspur

    Matching variants: Female, Nonbreeding Male

    Why this matches 4 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? Broad dark band across the tip
    View profile
  2. 2

    Pine Siskin

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    • What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye
    View profile
  3. 3

    Lapland Longspur

    Matching variants: Female, Nonbreeding Male

    Why this matches 3 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    View profile
  4. 4

    Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow

    Why this matches 4 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    View profile
  5. 5

    Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow

    Why this matches 4 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    View profile

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