British Birds-In Raptures over Raptors

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The diminutive merlin belongs to which family of raptors? Falcons Eagles Hawks Harriers

2. Ospreys feed mostly on small birds and mammals. True False

3. Buteo buteo is the Latin name for which bird of prey? Sparrowhawk Buzzard Marsh harrier Peregrine

4. If you were fortunate you might catch sight of the rare hen harrier. If you were extremely fortunate you might observe their courtship display. Which of these activities might you be watching? The airborne passing of food from male to female. A spectacular vertical dive at speeds well in excess of 100 mph. An impressive booming call which carries for well over a mile. A ground display, or lek, where several males display for the females.

5. Three of these names are fictitious but which one is the real name of a British raptor? Sugar buzzard Honey buzzard Syrup buzzard Treacle buzzard

6. The table football game "Subbuteo" is named after a bird of prey. True False

7. Windhover is a nickname of which British raptor? Goshawk Buzzard Red Kite Kestrel

8. By the mid-twentieth century, red kites were almost extinct in the UK. Which country provided their last refuge at this time? N. Ireland Scotland Wales England

9. Which of these raptor species breeds in Britain? Eleanora's Falcon Montagu's harrier Harris hawk They all do

10. The golden eagle is the only eagle species nesting in Britain. True False