The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 13 6 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
    Change
  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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    Change
  8. 8
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    Change
  9. 9
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Northeastern Canada or United States
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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
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Medium
    Change
  12. 12
    What were the EYE markings if any ? Light STRIPE OVER, BEHIND or THROUGH the eye
    Change

Leading possibilities

6 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Purple Sandpiper

    Why this matches 8 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 colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northeastern Canada or United States
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Medium
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  2. 2

    Spotted 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 BREAST ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Medium
    • What were the EYE markings if any ? Light STRIPE OVER, BEHIND or THROUGH the eye
    View profile
  3. 3

    Sharp-tailed 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 ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Medium
    • What were the EYE markings if any ? Light STRIPE OVER, BEHIND or THROUGH the eye
    View profile
  4. 4

    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 ? Medium
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  5. 5

    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)
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Northeastern Canada or United States
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Medium
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