British Wildlife-Fish or Fowl? Quiz

Answer: Wigeon

Wigeon are dabbling ducks, which means they up-end in shallow water when feeding. They feed mainly on vegetation and small aquatic creatures such as snails and insects.
Gudgeon, minnow and loach are three small species of fish which are usually found in streams and rivers.

Answer: Bullhead

Bullheads are small fish which require fast-flowing and well-oxygenated water to live in. They are sometimes called miller's thumbs because of their tapering body shape.

Shovelers are dabbling ducks and get their name from their shovel-like beak. Goldeneye are diving ducks. Some breed in Scotland and Wales but they are mostly winter visitors to the UK. Shelduck are large ducks, almost the size of geese. They often feed on land, particularly around estuaries.

Answer: Scaup

Scaup are diving ducks and are usually found on the sea, but they can sometimes be found on inland lakes.
The majority of British freshwater fish belong to the carp family (Cyprinidae). The common carp is the largest of the Cyprinidae found in Britain, some specimens growing to over forty pounds. It is usually found in lakes and slow-flowing rivers.
Roach and rudd are both cyprinids and are closely related to each other. They often share the same habitat and when they do, occupy slightly different niches. Roach tend to feed mostly near the bed of the river or lake, whilst rudd are normally surface feeders.

Answer: Zander

Zander are not a native British species but have established themselves in many river systems. They are voracious predators of other fish species and there has been concern about their effect upon fish stocks.
Eider, long-tailed duck and scoter are all sea ducks often spending time far out in the oceans. They return to land to breed. Eider feathers are collected from their nesting sites to be used in bedding and other soft furnishings.

Answer: Pochard

Pochard are diving ducks and are mostly winter visitors to the UK from countries further north.
Trout, salmon and grayling all have a small adipose fin positioned on their backs just in front of their tails. This helps to identify them as members of the Salmonidae family. They are highly prized by fishermen for their fighting abilities and, of course, for their taste.

Answer: Barbel

Barbel are powerful fish which are only found in medium to large fast-flowing rivers.
Mallard and gadwall are both diving ducks.
Ruddy duck are originally an American species which have established themselves in Britain after escaping from wildfowl collections.

Answer: Pintail

Pintail are dabbling ducks. They are frequently found where water meadows have flooded.
Sticklebacks are small fish which are found mainly in small ponds and streams. They protect themselves with a row of sharp spikes along their backs.
Chub and dace are both members of the carp family. They both prefer to live in rivers.

Answer: Tench

Tench are medium sized members of the carp family. They prefer to live in lakes and slow flowing rivers where they spend much of their time feeding at the bottom.
Tufted ducks breed in the Britain but many thousands more are winter visitors. They are diving ducks which can often be found feeding in city parks.
Garganey and teal are both small ducks. They are both dabblers but are rarely seen together, because teal are largely winter visitors whilst garganey visit Britain in the summer months.

Answer: Mandarin

Mandarin are originally from eastern Asia and were imported into Britain for wildfowl collections. Some have escaped and bred and there are now several well established breeding sites particularly across central England.
Perch are common fish of both flowing and still waters. They can grow to around five pounds in weight.
Pike are a predatory species and are mostly found in larger waters. They can exceed thirty pounds where conditions allow.
Bream are deep-bodied members of the carp family. They are happiest in lakes and slow-flowing rivers.

Answer: Ruffe

Ruffe are small members of the perch family. They have a spiny dorsal fin but are much darker in colouration than their larger cousins.
Smew, goosander and red-breasted merganser are all saw-bill ducks. They get their name from the serrated edges to their bills. All three live almost exclusively on fish which they catch underwater.