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Quiz about European Birds of  Prey
Quiz about European Birds of  Prey

European Birds of Prey Trivia Quiz


Wild birds have scientific names in addition to the common names by which most of us know them. How many of these names can you fill in correctly? Several of these birds of prey are also found outside of Europe.

A multiple-choice quiz by moonraker2. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
moonraker2
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
356,351
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
483
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. With the scientific name "Milvus milvus" this colourful bird could possibly be identified by reference to an experiment conducted in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin. Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The bird of prey named "Falco subbuteo" is not connected to the similarly named table football game, although its name does perhaps give the impression of being related to leisure activities. Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. "Pandion haliaetus" is the scientific name given to our next entrant, a bird of prey that appears to have been aptly named. Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Next we have "Asio otus", a smaller bird of prey that appears to be well equipped to hear signs of any approaching predators that may threaten its nesting habitat.

Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. We move on to our next bird, which has been given the name "Ardea cinerea."
It's perhaps debatable if this wading bird should be classified as a bird of prey, but it most certainly is a predator.
Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. This next bird most certainly qualifies as a bird of prey. Named "Aquila chrysaetos" it is perhaps the best known raptor in the Northern Hemisphere, and probably qualifies in first place on most enthusiast's lists of birds to see. Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The fastest of all the birds of prey is our next offering "Falco peregrinus" and there will be no bonus points for guessing this one correctly.
Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The next bird in the frame is named "Pernis apivorus" a species that has an unusual and specialised diet.

Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Next we come across "Strix aluco" whose common name could possibly bring a sweet dessert wine to mind. Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Our final bird of prey has been given the name "Accipiter nisus" and for this entrant we get 'two birds for the price of one'!
Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. With the scientific name "Milvus milvus" this colourful bird could possibly be identified by reference to an experiment conducted in 1752 by Benjamin Franklin.

Answer: Red kite

Towards the end of the twentieth century, the red kite population throughout Europe had been severely reduced owing partly to poisoning by pesticides used in agriculture, and also by illegal hunting and trapping.
However, in the United Kingdom numbers increased significantly after the turn of the 21st century, owing mainly to the controlled release of breeding pairs of both Swedish and Spanish origin, at various sites throughout the country. By July, 2011, the RSPB stated that numbers had increased to such an extent that it was no longer feasible to conduct annual surveys to monitor the success of the project.

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted a risky experiment during a thunderstorm into the properties of lightning, by flying a kite with a metal key and wires attached. He determined that lightning was in fact a form of static electricity, and following a number of further experiments, invented the lightning rod and conductor.
2. The bird of prey named "Falco subbuteo" is not connected to the similarly named table football game, although its name does perhaps give the impression of being related to leisure activities.

Answer: Eurasian hobby

The Eurasian hobby favours open countryside as its habitat, whether cultivated land or wetlands. It feeds mainly on large insects such as dragonflies, bats and small birds which are caught whilst in flight. The hobby will often takeover the old nests of other birds, laying three or four eggs. Both the male and female hobby then share in their incubation.
3. "Pandion haliaetus" is the scientific name given to our next entrant, a bird of prey that appears to have been aptly named.

Answer: Osprey

The osprey is one of the larger raptors, with a wingspan of more than seventy inches. These birds feed almost exclusively on fish so their nest sites will always be chosen close to water, whether lakes, rivers or the open sea.

Ospreys have the exceptional ability to reverse their outer talons, which allows them to grip their prey with two talons in front and also two behind. This proves extremely useful when carrying live fish back to their nests.
4. Next we have "Asio otus", a smaller bird of prey that appears to be well equipped to hear signs of any approaching predators that may threaten its nesting habitat.

Answer: Long-eared owl

The long-eared owl is one of the smaller raptors, similar in size to the woodpigeon. Its name derives from tufts of head feathers that resemble ears, although they are not ears. These feathers rise up when the bird is alarmed. They seldom build their own nests, but instead takeover old treetop nests previously used by other birds.

They hunt for food during the hours of darkness, feeding mainly on mice, voles and smaller birds.
5. We move on to our next bird, which has been given the name "Ardea cinerea." It's perhaps debatable if this wading bird should be classified as a bird of prey, but it most certainly is a predator.

Answer: Grey heron

Grey herons tower above most other birds standing more than three feet in height and with a wingspan roughly twice that length. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they will also prey on smaller birds, frogs and small rodents such as water voles. Generally speaking, grey herons will nest in trees close to the waterside, but will also build their nests in reeds on occasions.

These birds are gregarious in nature tending to flock together, and in some areas have even established colonies close to urban developments.
6. This next bird most certainly qualifies as a bird of prey. Named "Aquila chrysaetos" it is perhaps the best known raptor in the Northern Hemisphere, and probably qualifies in first place on most enthusiast's lists of birds to see.

Answer: Golden eagle

One of the largest birds of prey, the golden eagle is seen to its best advantage when soaring majestically in the skies, retaining altitude by making use of upward air currents. They favour wild remote habitats when nesting, either moorlands or mountainous terrain, always choosing the highest places to build their nests.

Their prey includes rabbits, foxes, other birds, and even young lambs on occasions.
7. The fastest of all the birds of prey is our next offering "Falco peregrinus" and there will be no bonus points for guessing this one correctly.

Answer: Peregrine falcon

The peregrine falcon is not only the fastest bird of prey but is actually the fastest of all living creatures, reaching incredible speeds in excess of 200mph when diving towards its intended prey. Its diet consists almost exclusively of other birds such as starlings, wood pigeons, crows and songbirds, most of which are attacked and taken in mid-air.
8. The next bird in the frame is named "Pernis apivorus" a species that has an unusual and specialised diet.

Answer: European honey buzzard

The European honey buzzard is migratory, spending the summer months in Europe and the winters in Africa. When making the long journeys south to Africa, these birds choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea at narrow points such as the Gibraltar Strait, as they are unable to soar over long stretches of open sea owing to the lack of thermal currents.

Their preferred habitat is dense woodland, and numbers of breeding pairs have recently increased significantly in Britain owing perhaps to a planned increase in areas of upland conifer forests.

The staple diet of honey buzzards consists mainly of the insect larvae of wasps, bees and hornets. Fortunately they are not adversely affected by wasp attacks, owing it's thought to an inbuilt chemical defence within their plumage.
9. Next we come across "Strix aluco" whose common name could possibly bring a sweet dessert wine to mind.

Answer: Tawny owl

Tawny owls fairly common throughout most of Europe, are smallish birds of prey also referred to on occasions as brown owls. Their preferred habitat is woodland area, but being a nocturnal bird they are not easily seen during daylight hours. They feed mainly on small rodents, frogs, insects and worms, but will also take small birds if the opportunity arises. Tawny owls do not migrate and they are very protective of their nesting sites.
10. Our final bird of prey has been given the name "Accipiter nisus" and for this entrant we get 'two birds for the price of one'!

Answer: Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawks are one of the more common birds of prey, but being of cautious nature they are seldom seen. Male sparrowhawks are surprisingly only half the size of their female counterparts. Their diet consists mainly of small birds and rodents. A favourite ploy is to perch hidden some considerable distance from their intended prey before swooping at great speed to snatch the unsuspecting victim in their powerful talons. Wild birds that have been attracted to our gardens by seeds on our bird tables are unfortunately often an easy target.
Source: Author moonraker2

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