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Quiz about Lets Say Hi to Friends Who Fly
Quiz about Lets Say Hi to Friends Who Fly

Let's Say Hi to Friends Who Fly Quiz


Many opportunities present themselves when even a casual observer goes looking for birds to photograph in the part of southern Ontario where I live. Here are some of the results of walks by the river and afternoons in my back yard.

A photo quiz by spanishliz. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
spanishliz
Time
4 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
375,375
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
2351
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: brenda610 (9/10), DCW2 (10/10), rossian (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. A sure sign of spring hereabouts in southern Ontario is the appearance of this red-breasted feathered friend. How is this chap related to the English (European) robin? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. This brightly feathered friend flew into my back yard one winter day and posed for me. How does the female cardinal differ in appearance from the male? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Moments after this photo was taken, this chap gave me a look that said "Do you have food for me?" Formally called Larus delawarensis, what is his more common name? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This very familiar feathered friend is Branta canadensis, the Canada goose, who can be found all over North America, and even beyond. Though they don't always migrate as far south as they once did, noisy formations of this bird can be seen in flight over southern Ontario especially in spring and autumn. What shape does their formation most often take? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. It's pretty certain that the food in this small feeder wasn't meant for these two big fellows! Sometimes considered to be a nuisance, by what name do we know this bird? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This colourful friend is the blue jay, who visits Ontario back yards during most of the year. Which of these words best describes his call? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In various parts of Ontario (and elsewhere in North America), particularly near rivers and lakes, one can see wooden platforms on poles high in the air. These have been put there to provide a safe nesting place for which of these birds? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. It will be no surprise that this is the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). How does this bird react if a larger bird flies over its nest? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. This fellow is all fluffed up because it is a cold February day, possibly giving him a reason to utter the sad call that gives him his name. What is that name? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This colourful fellow has almost finished getting his summer plumage. He is an American goldfinch, but what colour are his feathers predominantly during the winter? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 28 2024 : brenda610: 9/10
Mar 25 2024 : DCW2: 10/10
Mar 25 2024 : rossian: 10/10
Mar 20 2024 : Guest 132: 5/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 107: 9/10
Mar 06 2024 : Guest 72: 8/10
Mar 03 2024 : Guest 107: 8/10
Mar 02 2024 : Jaydel: 7/10
Mar 01 2024 : baldricksmum: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. A sure sign of spring hereabouts in southern Ontario is the appearance of this red-breasted feathered friend. How is this chap related to the English (European) robin?

Answer: Named after it by early settlers

Though several sources assure me that the American robin (Turdus migratorius) doesn't really go all that far south for the winter, that doesn't stop us here in Ontario, from looking for the first robin of spring! Apparently those that remain in colder climes stick close to their nests until the weather warms up.

His red breast led early European settlers in North America to compare this bird to the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), and give it a similar name. The bird found in Canada is larger than the European bird, and more closely related to the thrush family.
2. This brightly feathered friend flew into my back yard one winter day and posed for me. How does the female cardinal differ in appearance from the male?

Answer: Her feathers are mostly brown.

Both the male and female northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) are crested, and about the same seven and one half inches in size. It is, however, the male whose bright red feathers brighten up the winter landscape, whilst the female makes do with brown feathers all over her body, with just a few hints of red.
3. Moments after this photo was taken, this chap gave me a look that said "Do you have food for me?" Formally called Larus delawarensis, what is his more common name?

Answer: Ring-billed gull

The second photo, while amusing, doesn't show off the marking on this cheeky gull's bill that gives him his common name. The ring-billed gull is sometimes referred to as the "fast food" gull, and I have watched a group of them squabbling over the contents of an abandoned pizza box and being extremely noisy about it.

Despite the fact that the incorrect answers could easily describe this bird, none of them are in common use.
4. This very familiar feathered friend is Branta canadensis, the Canada goose, who can be found all over North America, and even beyond. Though they don't always migrate as far south as they once did, noisy formations of this bird can be seen in flight over southern Ontario especially in spring and autumn. What shape does their formation most often take?

Answer: V

The V shape of their formation can sometimes be a bit ragged, with one arm longer than the other and stragglers bringing up the rear, but the V is almost always discernible. The loud honking as they fly along alerts one to their approach. In summer large groups, including goslings, can sometimes be seen alongside the river or swimming in it.
5. It's pretty certain that the food in this small feeder wasn't meant for these two big fellows! Sometimes considered to be a nuisance, by what name do we know this bird?

Answer: Pigeon

The rock pigeon (Columba livia) can be quite interesting to observe, especially if you have an observation point in a tall building, as I did when working in Toronto. My colleagues and I spent more time than we should have glued to the coffee room window, watching a pair of pigeons on a ledge of the older hotel next door, building their nest, feeding their chick and ultimately teaching him to fly.
6. This colourful friend is the blue jay, who visits Ontario back yards during most of the year. Which of these words best describes his call?

Answer: Raucous

If I hear what sounds like a squeaky gate in my yard, I'm pretty certain I'll soon spot a blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), and he probably wants food! Peanuts seem to be a favourite, and he'll fly off with one in his mouth, but soon return for another.
7. In various parts of Ontario (and elsewhere in North America), particularly near rivers and lakes, one can see wooden platforms on poles high in the air. These have been put there to provide a safe nesting place for which of these birds?

Answer: Osprey

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a fish-hawk, which explains why the nesting poles are close to water. The bird will also nest in trees and on utility poles, and the male of a pair will bring fish for the female to feed to their young. Watching them fish is a real treat for the observer. The photo shows one in flight near its nest.
8. It will be no surprise that this is the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). How does this bird react if a larger bird flies over its nest?

Answer: Attacks aggressively

This relatively small bird (about seven and a half inches in length) does not like intruders, and I have witnessed one repeatedly "dive bombing" a much bigger osprey, much to my amusement. The bigger bird did not take action against the brave smaller one. Though the blackbird will make a lot of noise if a human approaches, this is more by way of warning than a call for assistance.
9. This fellow is all fluffed up because it is a cold February day, possibly giving him a reason to utter the sad call that gives him his name. What is that name?

Answer: Mourning dove

Hearing the mournful "coo-oo, coo-oo" always makes me feel like I should do something to cheer these birds up. The mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) is plentiful in southern Ontario, and feeds mainly on seeds. It is similar in size to a pigeon.
10. This colourful fellow has almost finished getting his summer plumage. He is an American goldfinch, but what colour are his feathers predominantly during the winter?

Answer: Drab brown

Despite the snow on the ground, this photo was taken in mid-April, and this goldfinch (Spinus tristis) has reached the point in his annual plumage cycle when he is sporting his yellow courting clothes. He'll retain these bright feathers until September, when molting begins and by November will wear the same drab brown as the female of his type.
Source: Author spanishliz

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