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Quiz about Bird of Prey Names Explained 1
Quiz about Bird of Prey Names Explained 1

Bird of Prey Names Explained #1 Quiz


Ever wondered why the Latin names of species are what they are? This quiz explains the Latin names, and all you have to do is work out which raptor they describe.

A multiple-choice quiz by Yarrmate. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Yarrmate
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
320,101
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
542
Last 3 plays: Guest 72 (4/10), Ean28 (8/10), Guest 84 (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which hawk, found in southern USA and Mexico is described by these names? The species name is Parabuteo unicintus, and translates to "Like a buzzard with one stripe." Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. This weird looking African bird is the only one found in its genus. The Latin name is Sagittarius serpentarius: The archer of snakes. In English, what is it called? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. This African bird has the Latin name Haliaeetus vocifer. Haliaeetus tells us that it is a sea-eagle, and "vocifer" is a nod of the head to its unique call. What is the common name? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. This bird is a sea eagle, with the latin name Haliaeetus albicilla. Albicilla tells us that it has a white tail. What is the common name for this bird? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. This falcon is supposedly the fastest bird on the planet. Its Latin name, Falco peregrinus, means the wandering falcon. Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This owl was supposedly the familiar of the Greek goddess Athena, so its Latin name is Athene noctua - the nocturnal Athena. What is its common name? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. This falcon, Falco subbuteo, actually has the translation of "the falcon less than the buzzard", despite not being related to the buteos. What is it more commonly called? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. This eagle is typically found in Australia, and the Latin name Aquila audax means "the eagle who is bold". It has an unmistakable tail shape. What does it normally get called? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. This raptor is an owl. The Latin name, Tyto alba, translates simply as a white owl. It describes the bird very well. What is the common name? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Despite having the Latin name that translates to the falcon of the peasant, Falco rusticulus, this falcon was traditionally only flown by medieval kings. It is the largest of all falcons. Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 03 2024 : Guest 72: 4/10
Feb 25 2024 : Ean28: 8/10
Feb 21 2024 : Guest 84: 6/10
Feb 20 2024 : Guest 84: 6/10
Feb 16 2024 : jonathanw55: 5/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which hawk, found in southern USA and Mexico is described by these names? The species name is Parabuteo unicintus, and translates to "Like a buzzard with one stripe."

Answer: Harris hawk

The Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) gets its Latin name due to the fact that the juvenile looks remarkably like a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and the adult has one white stripe at the base of its tail.
2. This weird looking African bird is the only one found in its genus. The Latin name is Sagittarius serpentarius: The archer of snakes. In English, what is it called?

Answer: Secretary bird

Although it rarely flies, the secretary bird is not flightless. It uses its long legs and sharp talons to pound snakes, hitting them accurately in the head and usually killing them with the first strike.
3. This African bird has the Latin name Haliaeetus vocifer. Haliaeetus tells us that it is a sea-eagle, and "vocifer" is a nod of the head to its unique call. What is the common name?

Answer: Fish eagle

The species name, vocifer, derives from the Latin vociferari "to shout, or yell." The African fish eagle is sometimes described as the voice of Africa, with a high pitched scream for a call.
4. This bird is a sea eagle, with the latin name Haliaeetus albicilla. Albicilla tells us that it has a white tail. What is the common name for this bird?

Answer: White-tailed sea eagle

A very imaginatively named bird, the white-tailed sea eagle is an eagle that lives near the sea, and has a white tail. The white-tailed sea eagle is the Eurasian equivalent of the bald eagle. It became extinct in the UK, but a successful program of reintroduction means that there were 40 breeding pairs recorded in 2008.
5. This falcon is supposedly the fastest bird on the planet. Its Latin name, Falco peregrinus, means the wandering falcon.

Answer: Peregrine

Peregrines are known for long migratory routes, breeding in north Alaska and migrating as far south as the tip of South America in the winters. In level flight, a peregrine is only about as fast as a pigeon, 40-50 mph, but in a stoop (dive), they have been recorded at speeds of over 200 mph.
6. This owl was supposedly the familiar of the Greek goddess Athena, so its Latin name is Athene noctua - the nocturnal Athena. What is its common name?

Answer: Little owl

This is the bird that gave rise to the legend of the "wise old owl". After all, hanging round Athena must have made the bird wise! The little owl lives up to its common name - it is only about 10 inchs (25cms) long - but not so much its wise roots. After all, a bird that small can't have too big a brain!
7. This falcon, Falco subbuteo, actually has the translation of "the falcon less than the buzzard", despite not being related to the buteos. What is it more commonly called?

Answer: Hobby

The hobby is often found in open farmland, and is extremely agile. It will actively hunt swallows and martins, and will easily take them on the wing. An inventor once designed a table top soccer game that he wanted to call "Hobby", but the name was considered too generic. Being a birdwatcher, he simply used the Latin name, and the game of Subbuteo was born.
8. This eagle is typically found in Australia, and the Latin name Aquila audax means "the eagle who is bold". It has an unmistakable tail shape. What does it normally get called?

Answer: Wedge-tailed eagle

The Wedgie, as it is affectionately known, is considered to be a local variation of the golden eagle, and several other species, leading to the term super-species to be coined. It has a wingspan of about 8.5ft (over 2.5m), and as the name suggests, a wedge shaped tail.
9. This raptor is an owl. The Latin name, Tyto alba, translates simply as a white owl. It describes the bird very well. What is the common name?

Answer: Barn owl

The barn owl is also known as the ghost owl, due to its striking white underbelly, and liking to roost in old English churches and abandoned barns. Oh, and the piercing shriek that it has for a cry helps too. It is one of the most widespread owl, and any bird, in the world, being found almost everywhere on the planet except the polar and desert regions.
10. Despite having the Latin name that translates to the falcon of the peasant, Falco rusticulus, this falcon was traditionally only flown by medieval kings. It is the largest of all falcons.

Answer: Gyrfalcon

The only person that had better birds than the king was an emperor, who was permitted to fly golden eagles, vultures, and bizzarely, the tiny merlin. The King was allowed a gyr (either sex), and a prince was allowed the larger female peregrine. There was even a specific bird assigned to a holy water clerk.
Source: Author Yarrmate

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