Backyard Bird ID in the US

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Growing up in Indiana, I often spotted this member of the plover family in our large back field. It often protects its nest by feigning injury to distract predators. mockingbird killdeer red-winged blackbird robin

2. Living in Texas, it was a thrill to see this amazing bird dipping and swooping for insects with its gray head and extremely long tail. scissor-tailed flycatcher great crested flycatcher western kingbird eastern phoebe

3. Over the wheat fields of Oklahoma, I often saw this bird perched on a telephone line, searching for prey. With its tell-tale rusty back and bluish wings, it is the smallest US falcon. prarie falcon kestrel merlin red-tailed hawk

4. Next was a move to Alaska, where this predatory bird is quite common to see, usually in the company of ravens. Large and regal, the white head and tail and dark body make it unmistakable. bald eagle willow ptarmigan golden eagle trumpeter swan

5. Another Alaskan bird. A large flock of about 50 of these ate every berry off my mountain ash tree. Slightly larger than its southern cousin, this brown bird is identified by the crest on its head, yellow, white and black wing markings, and cinnamon undertail. golden-crowned kinglet Steller's jay common redpoll Bohemian waxwing

6. Next it's off to the Mojave Desert, in Southern California. I spotted this large orange and black bird drinking from my hummingbird feeder one day. The solid black tail and solid golden orange crown distinguish it from its more famous eastern cousin. MacGillivray's warbler hooded oriole western kingbird evening grosbeak

7. Next we moved to the panhandle of Florida, where I hoped to see this bird during its migration. The male is very brightly colored, with red underside, blue head and greenish-yellow back. Which bunting am I talking about? indigo bunting varied bunting lazuli bunting painted bunting

8. This Florida black-headed bird was easy to see (and hear), when visiting the beach. The largest of the dark-headed gulls, it's easy to tell it by its hilarious call. ring-billed gull laughing gull common blackbird herring gull

9. During a brief stop in Georgia, this gorgeous red bird with black wings and black tail sang his heart out at the top of a pine tree. scarlet tanager northern cardinal summer tanager red-winged blackbird

10. Back in the Mojave Desert for the second time, we spotted this little owl by the side of the road. His underground home, sandy color, and long legs helped us identify him right away. barn owl elf owl burrowing owl spotted owl