The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 13 2 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 12 answers recorded · open to review or change
  1. 1
    What TYPE of bird was seen ? Sandpiper-like
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  2. 2
    What colour was the BELLY ? Unknown
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  3. 3
    How BIG was the bird ? Sparrow-sized
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  4. 4
    What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
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  5. 5
    What colour were the LEGS or FEET ? Unknown
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  6. 6
    What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
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  7. 7
    What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
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  8. 8
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
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  9. 9
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Barred crosswise (from side to side)
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  10. 10
    What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ? Checkered black and white
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  11. 11
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Northeastern Canada or United States
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  12. 12
    What were the EYE markings if any ? Light RING (white or yellow) AROUND the eye
    Change

Leading possibilities

2 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Semipalmated 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 BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northeastern Canada or United States
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  2. 2

    Western 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 BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northeastern Canada or United States
    View profile

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

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