The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 13 3 possible birds

What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

Uniform Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred Checkered black and white 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
    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
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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 were the EYE markings if any ? Dark STRIPE THROUGH the eye
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  11. 11
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    Change
  12. 12
    What colour was the BACK ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change

Leading possibilities

3 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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    View profile
  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 ? Black, purple, or dark
    View profile
  3. 3

    White-rumped Sandpiper

    Why this matches 5 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 LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Barred crosswise (from side to side)
    View profile

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