The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 8 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 7 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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  5. 5
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail)
    Change
  6. 6
    What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    Change
  7. 7
    What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    Change

Leading possibilities

5 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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    • 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
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  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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    • 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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    • 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
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  4. 4

    Reed Bunting

    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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? None
    View profile
  5. 5

    Lapland Longspur

    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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    View profile

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

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