The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 13 10 possible birds

What colour was the BACK ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

White, or pale (grayish-white) Yellow Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan Red, or pink Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) Olive (yellowish-green) Green Blue Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) Gray, or blue-gray Black, purple, or dark 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
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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
    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 ? Unknown
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  8. 8
    What LENGTH was the BILL ? Unknown
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  9. 9
    What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Barred crosswise (from side to side)
    Change
  10. 10
    WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    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

10 possibilities remain

1 rule inferred
  1. 1

    Surfbird

    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 PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Barred crosswise (from side to side)
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
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  2. 2

    Sanderling

    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 BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
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  3. 3

    Spotted 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 PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ? Barred crosswise (from side to side)
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  4. 4

    Curlew 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
    • Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ? Yes
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  5. 5

    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
    • WHERE was the bird seen ? Southwestern United States
    View profile

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

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