The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 8 4 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 ? Songbird (ground or perching bird)
    Change
  2. 2
    What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    Change
  3. 3
    What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Crest of feathers on top of the head
    Change
  4. 4
    How BIG was the bird ? Pigeon-sized
    Change
  5. 5
    What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  6. 6
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    Change
  7. 7
    What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    Change

Leading possibilities

4 possibilities remain

  1. 1

    Lesser Nighthawk

    Why this matches 6 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Songbird (ground or perching bird)
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • How BIG was the bird ? Pigeon-sized
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
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  2. 2

    Common Pauraque

    Why this matches 6 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Songbird (ground or perching bird)
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • How BIG was the bird ? Pigeon-sized
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    View profile
  3. 3

    Chuck-will's-widow

    Why this matches 6 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Songbird (ground or perching bird)
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • How BIG was the bird ? Pigeon-sized
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    View profile
  4. 4

    Common Nighthawk

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Songbird (ground or perching bird)
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • How BIG was the bird ? Pigeon-sized
    • What colour was the TOP of HEAD ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored)
    View profile

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