Quiz from 2018 by the Bristol Ornithological Club
i Who am I? Where am I?
ii Bird Misfits - Which birds do the three bodyparts belong to?
iii Who am I?
iv Who is the author?
v Who's Tail?
| 1 | Round Robin Round |
| a | In the traditional children's nursery rhyme, who killed Cock Robin? |
| b | In the Poem - To My Sister - who wrote the following words? 'It is the first mild day of March Each minute sweeter than before the redbreast sings from the tall larch that stands beside our door' |
| c | What was the Robin doing in Michael Jackson's 1972 hit single? |
| d | What behaviour distinguishes the female British Robin from the 'hens' of other species? |
| e | In Victorian times, Robin skins were popular as an adornment for what? |
| 2 | Alternative Names By what name are these birds more commonly known? |
| a | A windhover |
| b | Pink Twink |
| c | Cornish Jack |
| d | Mud Dabber |
| e | Laughing Betsey |
| 3 | Numbers |
| a | According to the RSPB, How many households in the UK feed their garden birds? 6, 10 or 14 million? |
| b | How many birds would the beloved have received by the end of the 12th Day of Christmas? 23, 184 or 364? |
| c | How far had an individual Barnacle Goose ringed in Caerlaverock flown in it's life? 9,300 , 93,000 or 193,000 kilometres? |
| d | What is the highest number of species recorded by a bird watcher in a single calendar year? 6,833, 6,934 or 7,216 |
| e | According to the Eye Spy book of Birds, how many points would you score if you saw a Bullfinch? 30, 45 or 50? |
| 4 | Cryptic Round |
| a | Do this on the donkey at a children's party |
| b | Used to be fowl |
| c | There's no space left mother |
| d | Big Roller Coaster |
| e | Vote for labour |
| 5 | Alternative Definitions |
| a | A draft Act of Parliament |
| b | Type of embossed, patterned wallpaper |
| c | Conceal oneself |
| d | Range of activity, application or opportunity |
| e | Blend or smooth delicately |
| 6 | General Knowledge - British birds |
| a | Which bird used to appear on the back of a farthing? |
| b | Which bird is commonest in UK pub names? |
| c | Which 5 British birds have gold in their name |
| d | What bird has the scientific name Vanellus vanellus? |
| e | What was the engine called that broke the steam locomotive record of 126 mph in 1938? |
| Bird Descriptions Which British bird am I describing - from Matt Sewell's 2018 British Birds Calendar | |
| a | Renowned since antiquity for his links with magic and mystery, this bird is a night animal that strikes cold terror into the heart of whoever hears him call. In truth he is completely magical in his gold, silver and white costume, shimmering silently through the dark night like a royal ghost. His face can be drawn as a heart with two huge round eyes. |
| b | At first glance, you would have thought the striking graphic black, white and red colour choice of this bird wasn't too wise a decision for going unnoticed in woodland. |
| c | A beautiful feline bird of prey; the female is covered in spots like a flying leopard cub and the male is handsome in his medieval finery, striking in grey, chestnut and black. Most commonly associated with the highways and motorways of Britain, appearing in deep concentration as if in suspended animation. |
| d | With a hop, skip and a jump, this bird is always on the move, always on the go, bouncing here and there to catch the tiniest of flies with utter joy and ease. You can be sure he sleeps with his foot tapping, dreaming of mayflies and midges. |
| e | With mercurial giggles like the tinkling of tiny bells, it's easier to hear this bird than to see one. These birds can be heard and spotted anywhere, from dense forests, gardens and parks to busy town streets. Like a caravan of golden lucky charms bouncing and chortling their way to the next port of call be that feeder, thistle or forest. |
| f | This bird is a celestial work of art. He kindly offers us just millisecond glances or fleeting dashes. From his stunning colouration, one would expect a song of sublime delicacies. Unfortunately, his brutal dagger for a mouthpiece results in him having a taut, high pitched whistle of a call. He sports a miniature cloak of incandescent blue and a chest orangier than a polished satsuma on Christmas morning. |
| g | Maybe it's the mischievous glint in his eyes, maybe it's his floppy flight from tree to tree, or maybe it’s the flashy streak of blue on his wings. Whatever, it is, there is a look to this bird that says he is up to no good. Nothing too bad but enough to earn him a bit of a reputation as a scallywag! |
| h | Much cleverer than they look, this bird is closely related to world-famous mimic the Mynah Bird. These birds are known for their amazing oil-slick-of-iridescence coat and their breath taking air displays. As a single dazzling, undulating mass they say a big 'thank you' to the sun before they roost for the night. |
| i | The call of this bird used to be heard loud and clear throughout British arable lands, meadows and marshes. So common a sound, in fact, that many people know this handsome bird, resplendent in a green and black iridescent smoking jacket, by his call alone. |
| j | Robbing, stealing and mugging are this bird's tactics! This majestic bird robs eggs and young from nests and terrorises small animals. He has a habit of liberating anything shiny and taking it back to his lair. He is a bird of ill omen; even today superstitious souls appease him with a salute. One for sorrow, two for joy - though any number spells trouble when this bird is around. |
| 1 | What is the difference between male and female Starlings in summer? |
| 2. | How many toes does a Ringed Plover have? |
| 3. | What is the main difference between a female Scaup and female Tufted Duck |
| 4. | What is the difference between a supercilium and an eye-stripe? |
Answers
i Mute at Slimbridge, Black-headed Gull at Backwell Lake, Crow at Eastville Park, Rook at Stonehenge
ii Reed Bunting, Turnstone, Redshank; Great Tit, Kingfisher, Wren; Red Kite, Puffin, Coot; Fulmar, Goldeneye, Little Egret
iii Alan Knott, Russel Crowe, Florence Nightingale, Dan Quayle
iv Jung Chang, Colleen McCullough, Donna Tartt, Helen MacDonald
v Wren, Magpie, Black-tailed Godwit, Goldfinch
1 Round Robin Round
a "The Sparrow with his bow and arrow."
b "William Wordsworth (His sister = Dorothy)"
c "Rockin' (MJ and the Jackson 5)"
d She regularly sings
e Ladies' hats
2 Alternative names
From British Birds, their folklore Names and Literature by Francesca Greenoak 1979 - all listed as alternative names used in the South West, Somerset or Gloucestershire.
a "Kestrel (because of it's characteristic hovering behaviour)"
b "Chaffinch (because of it's call note)"
c "Chough (from where it is found)"
d "Nuthatch (because it reduces the size of a hole in a tree with mud)"
e "Green Woodpecker (from it's laughing cry)"
3 Numbers
a 14 million
b 184
c 193,000 km
d 6833 Seen in 2016 by Dutch birder Arjan Dwarshuis. His last one, a Tody Motmot in Panama, was seen on 4 November 2016
e 30
4 Cryptic Round
The answer is the name of a bird that can be seen in Britain If you need an example: Push the button with Force - Buzzard
a Pintail b Bean Goose c Fulmar d Dipper e Redpoll
5 Alternative Definitions
The answers are NOT bird names, but words related to birds or birdwatching
a Bill b Flock c Hide d Scope f Feather
6 General Knowledge
a Wren
b Swan
c Goldcrest; Golden Plover; Golden Eye; Goldfinch; Golden Eagle
d Lapwing
e The Mallard The record was achieved on 3 July 1938 on the slight downward grade of Stoke Bank south of Grantham on the East Coast Main Line
7 Bird Descriptions
a Barn Owl
b Great Spotted Woodpecker
c Kestrel
d Pied Wagtail
e Goldfinch
f Kingfisher
g Jay
h Starling
I Lapwing
j Magpie
Red Questions
1 What is the difference between male and female Starlings in summer?
Male has blue grey base of lower mandible on bill; female’s is yellowish-white. Additionally, male has wholly unspotted breast; female, retains some pale spots from winter plumage. [Difference in bill colour is sufficient]
2 How many toes does a Ringed Plover have?
6 (3 on each foot)
3 What is the main difference between a female Scaup and female Tufted Duck?
A female Scaup has a broad white band around the base of its bill, whereas Tufted Duck normally shows little or no white. Additionally the head shape is different - Scaup’s head is more rounded; Tufted may also show trace of a tuft at back of its head]
4 What is the difference between a supercilium and an eye-stripe?
A supercilium is immediately above the eye, whereas an eye-stripe runs through the eye.
