@redgannet: see this FAQ and various existing topics about this:
https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/posting-observations-without-photo/24567
https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/are-observations-without-photos-welcome/25646
Yes, iNat is community focused and emphasizes the need for evidence the community can evaluate. Without media evidence, observations can only be casual grade.
When it comes to birds, it’s best to record sounds if you can’t photograph them.
They must be field sketches of the individual organism being observed. Not illustrations made after the fact.