The eBirdr field guide

Bird Advisor

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

Question 8 3 possible birds

What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?

Choose the answer that comes closest to what you observed.

Uniform Streaked, mottled, spotted, or barred Checkered black and white Unknown

Not completely sure? Choose Unknown when it is available—a careful “I don’t know” is more useful than a guess.

Your observation 7 answers recorded · open to review or change
  1. 1
    What TYPE of bird was seen ? Duck or Goose-like
    Change
  2. 2
    What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    Change
  3. 3
    What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  4. 4
    What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    Change
  5. 5
    What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    Change
  6. 6
    What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ? Unknown
    Change
  7. 7
    What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    Change

Leading possibilities

3 possibilities remain

2 rules inferred
  1. 1

    Brandt's Cormorant

    Why this matches 5 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Duck or Goose-like
    • What colour was the BREAST ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    • What colour was the BELLY ? Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan
    View profile
  2. 2

    Pacific Loon

    Why this matches 4 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Duck or Goose-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    View profile
  3. 3

    Arctic Loon

    Why this matches 4 supporting observations
    • What TYPE of bird was seen ? Duck or Goose-like
    • What colour was the THROAT ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What colour was the BILL ? Black, purple, or dark
    • What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ? Gray, or blue-gray
    View profile

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