The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 12 5 possible birds

What SHAPE was the BILL ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

Straight and slender Straight and thick Conical and slender Conical and thick Hooked Downcurved Upcurved Flattened Crossed at the tips 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 ? Sandpiper-like
    Change
  2. 2
    What colour was the BELLY ? Unknown
    Change
  3. 3
    How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
    Change
  4. 4
    What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    Change
  5. 5
    What colour were the LEGS or FEET ? Unknown
    Change
  6. 6
    What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  7. 7
    What colour was the BREAST ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    Change
  8. 8
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    Change
  9. 9
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Uniform color
    Change
  10. 10
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    Change
  11. 11
    What colour was the BACK ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    Change

Leading possibilities

5 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Sanderling

    Why this matches 7 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sandpiper-like
    • How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • What colour was the BACK ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
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  2. 2

    Curlew Sandpiper

    Why this matches 7 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sandpiper-like
    • How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • What colour was the BACK ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    View profile
  3. 3

    Red-necked Stint

    Why this matches 7 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sandpiper-like
    • How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    View profile
  4. 4

    Spoon-billed Sandpiper

    Why this matches 7 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sandpiper-like
    • How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
    View profile
  5. 5

    Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

    Why this matches 6 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sandpiper-like
    • How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    View profile

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