The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 8 3 possible birds

What SIZE was the TAIL ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

Very short Short Medium Long Very Long 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
What TYPE of bird was seen ? Hawk-like
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2
How BIG was the bird ? Robin-sized
Change
3
What SHAPE was the TAIL ? Square or slightly notched at the end
Change
4
WHERE was the bird seen ? Northwestern Canada or United States
Change
5
What colour was the BACK ? Blue
Change
6
Where was the white seen in flight ? Mainly on the wings
Change
7
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? Dark and light bands across it
Change

Leading possibilities

3 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred

1
Common Nighthawk
Why this matches 4 supporting observations
- What TYPE of bird was seen ? Hawk-like
- How BIG was the bird ? Robin-sized
- What SHAPE was the TAIL ? Square or slightly notched at the end
- Where was the white seen in flight ? Mainly on the wings
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2
Sharp-shinned Hawk

Matching variants: Immature, Sharp-shinned Hawk
Why this matches 4 supporting observations
- What TYPE of bird was seen ? Hawk-like
- How BIG was the bird ? Robin-sized
- What SHAPE was the TAIL ? Square or slightly notched at the end
- What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ? Dark and light bands across it
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3
Merlin

Matching variants: Male, Merlin
Why this matches 4 supporting observations
- What TYPE of bird was seen ? Hawk-like
- How BIG was the bird ? Robin-sized
- What SHAPE was the TAIL ? Square or slightly notched at the end
- What colour was the BACK ? Blue
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Showing the strongest matches so far. Keep answering—the order may change.