The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 13 9 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
    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 ? Gray, or blue-gray
    Change
  8. 8
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    Change
  9. 9
    What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ? Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred
    Change
  10. 10
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    Change
  11. 11
    In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ? Unknown
    Change
  12. 12
    Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ? Yes
    Change

Leading possibilities

9 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Surfbird

    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 ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    View profile
  2. 2

    Spotted 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 BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    View profile
  3. 3

    White-rumped 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 BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    • What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ? Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    • Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ? Yes
    View profile
  4. 4

    Purple 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 ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Spotted or mottled
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    View profile
  5. 5

    Least 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 ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ? Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Long
    View profile

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