Tweet Dreams Are Made of This Trivia Quiz

Answer: Decreased bone density

Despite the common belief that birds have lightweight skeletons, their bones are actually denser than those of similarly sized mammals. This increased density contributes to bone strength and stiffness, ensuring their skeletons can withstand the demands of flight and landing. However, birds achieve an overall lighter body structure through skeletal design rather than reduced bone density.

Many bird bones are "pneumatized", meaning they are hollow and filled with air sacs. This adaptation reduces weight without compromising strength and also enhances respiratory efficiency by integrating with the lungs. The extent of pneumatization varies by species and by bone type, but the increased density compensates for the hollowness, maintaining structural integrity.

Answer: Corvidae

Members of the Corvidae family--commonly known as corvids--have wowed scientists for years with their impressive mental abilities. These birds can solve relatively complex puzzles, use tools, recognize human faces, and even plan for future events, all behaviors once thought to be exclusive to primates. (Full disclosure, I can do at least two of those moderately well.)

Scrub jays, for example, have been observed hiding food and then later re-hiding it if they think another bird was watching. New Caledonian crows have demonstrated tool-building skills that rival those of early humans and--based on my experience--some modern humans. Some corvids even appear to mourn their dead and communicate warnings within their group. So, while you may think you're smarter than a jay, it's worth remembering: they're probably watching, remembering... and judging.

Answer: Bolivia

The blue-throated macaw is one of the rarest parrots in the world and is found exclusively in the Los Llanos de Moxos region of Bolivia. This vibrant bird is known for its striking turquoise-blue throat and golden body and has suffered steep population declines due to habitat loss and illegal pet trading.

For years, the species was believed to be extinct in the wild until a small population was rediscovered in the 1990s. Since then, intense conservation efforts--including habitat protection, captive breeding, and nest box programs--have helped increase its numbers, though only a few hundred individuals are known to exist today. A little help goes a long way.

Answer: Cooper's Hawk

The Cooper's Hawk was named by Charles Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon's nephew, for his friend William Cooper, a New York naturalist and founding member of the New York Lyceum of Natural History. Medium-sized and fast, Cooper's Hawks are skilled woodland predators usually known for their agility, weaving through trees in pursuit of smaller birds.

Their population dipped due to pesticide use in the 20th century but has since rebounded. Today they're now often spotted in suburban backyards, especially near my bird feeder, which the Cooper's Hawks in the area treat like a fast-food drive-thru. (They're, um... not there so much for the birdseed, if you follow.)

Answer: Long golden head plumes

The tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) gets its name from the striking long golden tufts that sprout from either side of its head during breeding season, giving it a delightfully dramatic look, making all the female puffins swoon. Native to the North Pacific, these seabirds nest in cliffs and islands from California to Alaska and across to Asia.

While their flashy head feathers definitely steal the show, they're also excellent divers, using their wings to "fly" underwater in search of fish and squid. Unlike the more well-known Atlantic puffin, the tufted puffin is more reclusive, often spotted only on remote coastal cliffs.

Answer: Ostrich

The ostrich (Struthio camelus), native to Africa, is the largest and heaviest bird in the world and the only one with just two toes on each foot. This fun foot feature helps it run at impressive speeds, up to 45 miles per hour (over 70 kph), making it the fastest land bird. Contrary to popular myth, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. That legend likely came from the way they lower their heads to the ground when threatened, blending in with the terrain.

Ostriches also have enormous eyes (the largest of any land animal) and can deliver a powerful two-toed kick when cornered. I recommend giving them a wide berth, but if you do find yourself cornered, there are worse ideas than burying your head in the sand.

Answer: Common Myna

The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a bold, adaptable bird that thrives in cities, towns, and farmlands. It was originally native to India and surrounding regions, but has spread to places like Australia, the Middle East, and islands in the Pacific, sometimes becoming an invasive species.

Mynas are part of the starling family and are known for their exceptional vocal abilities, often mimicking car alarms, ringtones, and human speech. If the car-alarm sounds don't give them away, they're also easily recognized by their bright yellow eye patches, strong feet, and strut-like walk. Intelligent and social, they've earned a mixed reputation. One person's charming pet is another person's noisy pest. Either way, they're definitely hard to ignore.

Answer: Lanner Falcon

The lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus) is a powerful bird of prey found across parts of Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe. Along with the peregrine falcon, it is one of the two species most commonly believed to have inspired the falcon-headed depictions of the god Horus in ancient Egyptian art.

Lanner falcons were likely familiar sights along the Nile Valley, and their sharp eyesight, swift flight, and noble bearing made them natural symbols of divine watchfulness and power. Unlike the peregrine, which prefers high cliffs, the lanner is more often seen soaring over open landscapes, a perfect fit for Egypt's deserts and savannas.

Answer: Emu

The Great Emu War of 1932 is one of the more surreal chapters in Australian history. After World War I, many Australian veterans looked to farming in Western Australia. Unfortunately, that same land became overrun with tens of thousands of emus, which trampled crops and generally wreaked havoc, as emus are wont to do. In response, the Australian government very rationally sent soldiers armed with machine guns to handle the problem.

However, the emus proved surprisingly difficult to kill... too fast, too spread out, and often just plain lucky. Despite firing thousands of rounds, the military only managed to cull a fraction of the birds. The operation was soon deemed a failure and quietly ended. The emus won... and to this day quietly plot their revenge.

Answer: Pigeon

It turns out that pigeons aren't just city-dwelling snack thieves... they're actually pretty sharp, despite their lazy walks through traffic. In a study published in Animal Cognition, researchers trained pigeons to recognize paintings by artists like Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. The birds learned to peck at images by one artist and ignore those by another, showing they could categorize visual styles. Even when presented with paintings they hadn't seen before, the pigeons could still make accurate distinctions.

This suggested that pigeons, with their exceptional visual processing skills, might have more going on upstairs than we typically give them credit for. So, if you're ever in the mood to talk about the early impressionists with someone who knows, look no further than the nearest city park.