The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 10 5 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 9 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 ? 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
    Change
  7. 7
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    Change
  8. 8
    What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    Change
  9. 9
    What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Light area between the bill and the eye
    Change

Leading possibilities

5 possibilities remain

3 rules inferred
  1. 1

    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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  2. 2

    Oriental Greenfinch

    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 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
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  3. 3

    Lapland Longspur

    Matching variants: Female, Nonbreeding Male

    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
    • What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
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  4. 4

    Bobolink

    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
    • What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
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  5. 5

    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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Showing the strongest matches so far. Keep answering—the order may change.

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