The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 11 7 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 10 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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    Change
  8. 8
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Uniform color
    Change
  9. 9
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    Change
  10. 10
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    Change

Leading possibilities

7 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Sanderling

    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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
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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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
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  3. 3

    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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
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  4. 4

    Curlew 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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    View profile

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