AttributesSearch Attribute Definitions
- Definitions
These are the definitions of the search attributes used on the iBird Search page.
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Location State in the United States, Territory or Province of Canada, Islands, Coasts, Seas and Oceans of North America. Also includes a few countries such as India and Australia for unusual birds like the Peacock and the Laughing Kookaburra. Shape Includes 14 general body forms representing most North American birds. Select as few shapes as possible (one preferred) to optimize the search. Size Includes five size categories representing length from tip of bill to end of tail. Select as few sizes as possible (one preferred) to optimize the search. Caution: bird size can be difficult to discern. Habitat General habitat types in which birds are found. Select as few habitats as possible (one preferred) to optimize the search. Caution: many birds may be found in a wide variety of habitats, limiting the value of this attribute. Color Primary Color you are most likely to assign to a bird. A color on the bird's body or wings must be at least 30% of the area in order to be included in this attribute. Thus a color must consume at least one third of the bird's surface area to be considered a primary color. Colors that take up less area are considered a secondary color. Color Secondary Color that appears in small areas of the bird's body, such as the crown, breast, underparts, tail and so on. As an example suppose you saw a woodpecker shaped bird with a black body and a red crown. You would select Color Primary = Black and Color Secondary = Red. This would return several birds including the Acorn Woodpecker which is most likely the bird you saw. Backyard Feeder Includes birds likely to visit backyard feeders. 'Yes frequently' means commonly feeds at feeders and 'Yes but uncommon' means feeds uncommonly at feeders. Data based on Project Feeder Watch from Birds at Your Feeder by Dunn and Tessaglia-Hymes, (C) 1990, W. W. Norton & Co, NY. Family Similar to Shape, but further categorizes birds by Family. Select as few Families as possible (one preferred) to optimize the search. Caution: this attribute is best suited for experienced birders. Bill Shape Includes 9 common bill shapes. Select as few shapes as possible (one preferred) to optimize the search. In some cases a bill is included in multiple categories, for example when a dagger is close to a needle it is in both Dagger and Needle. Caution: this attribute does not refer to bill size. Bill Length There are three lengths: about the same length as head, longer than head and shorter than head. Head Pattern Use this field mark to help identify the bird by its back pattern. The back extends from the bottom of the head to the beginning of the tail feathers. Crown Color The crown color is the color of the very top of the bird's head. The cap or crest is found on the crown. Wing Shape Includes six common wing shapes. Select as few shapes as possible (one preferred) to optimize the search. Flight Pattern Flight pattern describes how the bird flies, and can include patterns like straight, dynamic soaring, flap and glide, and so on. Conservation Status (PRO only) Search by threatened, extinct, nearly threatened, etc. Based on the IUCN Red List. Song (PRO only) The call or song of the bird. Use this attribute to search for the quality or type of song, and then use the Song Pattern attribute to narrow it further by the overall pattern of that song. Song Pattern (PRO only) The pattern of the song, whether its rising, falling flat or sing-song. of the bird. Use this attribute after first using the Song attribute.