The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 12 5 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 11 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 ? Has a central spot
    Change
  9. 9
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Unknown
    Change
  10. 10
    What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ? Checkered black and white
    Change
  11. 11
    What colour was the BACK ? Gray, or blue-gray
    Change

Leading possibilities

5 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Stilt 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 colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour was the BACK ? Gray, or blue-gray
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  2. 2

    Sharp-tailed 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 THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
    View profile
  3. 3

    Semipalmated Sandpiper

    Why this matches 4 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
    View profile
  4. 4

    Western Sandpiper

    Why this matches 4 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
    View profile
  5. 5

    Common Sandpiper

    Why this matches 4 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
    View profile

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

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