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It's Swooping Season! Trivia Quiz

A quiz about the breeding habits of my favourite bird, the Australian magpie.

A multiple-choice quiz by ElusiveDream. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
ElusiveDream

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
340,935

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
409

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which species of Australian magpie is the most common? Hint

White-backed magpie

Western magpie

Long-billed magpie

Black-backed magpie

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. When do Australian magpies usually breed? Hint

Summer

Winter

Autumn

It depends on where they live

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Question 3 of 10

3. About how long does it take for magpie eggs to hatch? Hint

a few weeks

a year

three months

a few days

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Magpies are attracted to shiny objects.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which other bird is known to lay its eggs in magpie nests? Hint

Channel-billed cuckoo

Grey butcherbird

Pied currawong

Masked woodswallow

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. 99% of all magpie attacks are carried out by males.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. The patch on the back of a female white-backed magpie is white.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which type of tree do Australian magpies usually nest in? Hint

Pine trees

Gum trees

Elm trees

Thornapple trees

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which bird of prey is known to include Australian magpies in its diet? Hint

Peregrine falcon

Brown goshawk

Wedge-tailed eagle

Barking owl

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Many animals are given a special name when they gather together in a group. What name is given to a group of magpies? Hint

Gaggle

Mischief

Murder

Parliament

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which species of Australian magpie is the most common?

Answer: Black-backed magpie

There are three separate species of Australian magpie. They are the black-backed magpie, the western magpie and the white-backed magpie.

There are also several sub-species including the long-billed magpie and the Top-End magpie.

2. When do Australian magpies usually breed?

Answer: It depends on where they live

In warm climates magpies will breed between June and September. In cooler regions, the breeding doesn't begin until August.

3. About how long does it take for magpie eggs to hatch?

Answer: a few weeks

It takes about two and a half weeks for the eggs to hatch. The usual length of time is between two and five weeks. The eggs are usually green or pale blue.

4. Magpies are attracted to shiny objects.

Answer: True

Magpies have been known to decorate their nests with spoons, aluminium foil and even diamond rings.

5. Which other bird is known to lay its eggs in magpie nests?

Answer: Channel-billed cuckoo

Like all cuckoos, the female channel-billed cuckoo doesn't build her own nest. Instead, she lays her eggs in the nests of Australian magpies. When the baby cuckoo hatches, it throws the magpie's eggs out of the nest. This way, the unfortunate magpie is left raising a baby cuckoo instead of its own chicks.

6. 99% of all magpie attacks are carried out by males.

Answer: True

Male magpies are notorious for their swooping attacks on anyone who ventures too close to their nesting sites. If you are swooped, it's best to keep your head down, cover your face and move away from the area as quickly and quietly as possible.

Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who knows what it feels like to be swooped by an angry magpie!

7. The patch on the back of a female white-backed magpie is white.

Answer: False

Only male white-backed magpies have pure white patches on their backs. The female's patch is grey.

8. Which type of tree do Australian magpies usually nest in?

Answer: Gum trees

Magpies prefer gum trees to nest in. However, they have occasionally been seen nesting in elm, pine and thornapple trees.

9. Which bird of prey is known to include Australian magpies in its diet?

Answer: Barking owl

Along with monitor lizards, the barking owl is one of the Australian magpie's main predators.

10. Many animals are given a special name when they gather together in a group. What name is given to a group of magpies?

Answer: Mischief

A murder of crows, a parliament of owls, a gaggle of geese and a mischief of magpies!

Source: Author ElusiveDream

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