The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 14 2 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 13 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
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  4. 4
    What colour was the THROAT ? Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
    Change
  5. 5
    What colour were the LEGS or FEET ? Unknown
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  6. 6
    What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
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  7. 7
    What colour was the BREAST ? Gray, or blue-gray
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  8. 8
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Dark band or bands running across the breast or neck
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  9. 9
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Short
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  10. 10
    What were the EYE markings if any ? None
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  11. 11
    What colour was the BACK ? Unknown
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  12. 12
    In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ? Unknown
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  13. 13
    How far did the WING TIPS extend in relation to the tail while the bird was at rest or landed ? Extended just slightly beyond the tail
    Change

Leading possibilities

2 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Ruddy Turnstone

    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 ? Dark band or bands running across the breast or neck
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Short
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  2. 2

    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 ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What LENGTH was the BILL ? Short
    • How far did the WING TIPS extend in relation to the tail while the bird was at rest or landed ? Extended just slightly beyond the tail
    View profile

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

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