The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 12 4 possible birds

What colour were the CHEEKS ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

White, or pale (grayish-white) Yellow Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan Red, or pink Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) Olive (yellowish-green) Green Blue Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) Gray, or blue-gray Black, purple, or dark Unknown

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

Your observation 11 answers recorded · open to review or change
  1. 1
    What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
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  2. 2
    What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    Change
  3. 3
    What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  4. 4
    What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    Change
  5. 5
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Unknown
    Change
  6. 6
    What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
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  7. 7
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    Change
  8. 8
    What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? Dark and light bands across it
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  9. 9
    What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Light area over, below, behind or around the eye
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  10. 10
    What type of environment was the bird seen in? Flat saltwater shore; beach
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  11. 11
    Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ? Yes
    Change

Leading possibilities

4 possibilities remain

3 rules inferred
  1. 1

    Oriental Greenfinch

    Why this matches 7 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    • Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ? Yes
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  2. 2

    Black-headed Grosbeak

    Why this matches 6 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    • What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Light area over, below, behind or around the eye
    • Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ? Yes
    View profile
  3. 3

    Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
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  4. 4

    Le Conte's Sparrow

    Why this matches 3 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
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