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Southern African Birds Trivia Quiz

How well do you know your southern African birds?

A multiple-choice quiz by indwangu. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
indwangu

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
116,622

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
880

Last 3 plays: 530107 (9/10), Guest 47 (9/10), Guest 41 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. This is a common water bird that is noted for its sharp bill. It is sometimes mistaken for one of the cormorants. Hint

Pied Grebe

White-faced Whistler

Hammerkop

African Darter

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the particular niche of the Gymnogene? Hint

Swooping raptor specilizing on waterbirds

Crevice searcher for small prey

Swooping raptor specilizing on rock hyrax

Pursuit raptor specilizing on small passerines

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Question 3 of 10

3. Of the four birds given, which is the most closely related to the secretary bird? Hint

Osprey

African Spoonbill

Marabou Stork

Grey Heron

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Question 4 of 10

4. The hornbill family is noted for its nesting habits. What do they do? Hint

Biparental care with the female killing the weaker chick.

Communual nesters with group care by young males.

Cavity nesters with the female being sealed inside the hole.

Biparental care with the male killing the weaker chick.

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is the origin of the Hoopoe's Latin name, Upupa epops? Hint

It was named for the unusual noise that is heard when it defecates.

The birds call sounds slightly like the Latin name.

Latin for "crested seeker"

Greek for "crested seeker"

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Question 6 of 10

6. Two species of oxpecker are found in this region. Name the one with both red and yellow colouration on the bill. Hint

Redbilled Oxpecker

Yellowbilled oxpecker

Barbet Oxpecker

Burnett's Oxpecker

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Question 7 of 10

7. To which family is the bearded vulture most closely related? Hint

Hawks

Osprey

Storks

Condors and New-world vultures

8. This bird has a display flight that starts with a series of 'tic-tic' calls that escalates to a high whistling 'pi-pi'. The bird then flies up about 20 - 30 meters and drops out of the sky. What is it? Hint

Painted Snipe

African Jacana

Redcrested korhaan

Natal Francolin

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Question 9 of 10

9. Where does the Rock Pratincole breed? Hint

On exposed rock on the Zambezi river in the low water season.

In colonies on the eastern cape cliff lines.

On sandbanks in the Okavango Delta.

On matted vegetation floats in the Orange river delta.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these would you not see sitting on the end of a branch, swooping down for aerial and terrestrial prey? Hint

Fork-tailed Drongo

Lilacbreasted Roller

Black Flycatcher

White Helmetshrike

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 15 2024 : 530107: 9/10
Apr 12 2024 : Guest 47: 9/10
Mar 29 2024 : Guest 41: 7/10
Mar 21 2024 : Guest 41: 5/10
Mar 15 2024 : Guest 105: 6/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 77: 6/10
Mar 07 2024 : Guest 72: 2/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 5: 6/10
Feb 29 2024 : Guest 94: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This is a common water bird that is noted for its sharp bill. It is sometimes mistaken for one of the cormorants.

Answer: African Darter

Widespread across the globe, anhingas are represented by four species, the African darter being one of them. These birds are also called 'snake birds' because of their habit of swimming along with just their necks out of the water.

2. What is the particular niche of the Gymnogene?

Answer: Crevice searcher for small prey

A fairly large raptor with noticeably bare facial skin, this bird is renowned for searching cracks and holes in trees for vertebrates and invertebrates. To achieve this the bird has evolved long bare legs with flexible joints.

3. Of the four birds given, which is the most closely related to the secretary bird?

Answer: Osprey

Although the secretary bird resembles the longer legged striding birds, it is most closely related to the birds of prey. These birds are noted for their hunting methods, which include stamping on prey such as rodents, lizards and snakes.

4. The hornbill family is noted for its nesting habits. What do they do?

Answer: Cavity nesters with the female being sealed inside the hole.

The female is sealed in a cavity by the male. He plugs up the hole entrance with mud and vegetation and she remains in the nest, shedding feathers to make a nest. During this time the male brings food to her and feeds her and the chicks through a slit in the seal.

5. What is the origin of the Hoopoe's Latin name, Upupa epops?

Answer: The birds call sounds slightly like the Latin name.

This bird's call is a frequent "hoop-hoop-hoop". The hoopoe is a widespread species, ranging as far north as Spain, but is commonly seen throughout southern Africa often in gardens.

6. Two species of oxpecker are found in this region. Name the one with both red and yellow colouration on the bill.

Answer: Yellowbilled oxpecker

Oxpeckers, relations of the starlings, are often seen on large herbivores gleaning parasites from the fur and skin. They serve their hosts by providing an alarm system, giving a harsh churring call when a predator approaches.

7. To which family is the bearded vulture most closely related?

Answer: Hawks

All the African vultures are related to eagles and hawks whereas recent DNA analysis has placed all the New World vultures in the same order as the storks. The similar appearance is the result of convergent evolution.

Answer: Redcrested korhaan

The redcrested korhaan is a bustard, and is named for the rusty red crest that is visble in breeding males.

9. Where does the Rock Pratincole breed?

Answer: On exposed rock on the Zambezi river in the low water season.

These swallow-sized birds are often seen skimming over the water, catching insects. A migrant to the area, it spends part of the year further north.

10. Which of these would you not see sitting on the end of a branch, swooping down for aerial and terrestrial prey?

Answer: White Helmetshrike

A gregarious bird that forages in the tree canopy and shrubline, the white helmetshrike is always on the move.

Source: Author indwangu

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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