The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 7 6 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 6 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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  3. 3
    What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Unknown
    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 ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    Change
  6. 6
    What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    Change

Leading possibilities

6 possibilities remain

2 rules inferred
  1. 1

    Purple Finch

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    • What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    View profile
  2. 2

    Cassin's Finch

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    • What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    View profile
  3. 3

    Common Rosefinch

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sparrow-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    • What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    View profile
  4. 4

    Red-winged Blackbird

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

    Tricolored Blackbird

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

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

Comparing your observations with 823 species in the Advisor knowledge base.

Start over