This quiz features a Dark-eyed Junco, a species with no discernible color pattern on the head. How can you distinguish groups of head feathers with no color patterns? By looking for the subtle creases and shadows at the edges of the feather groups, and differences in the orientation of the feathers.
Head Feathers without pattern
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This photo shows the feather groups outlined, to compare with the original photo above. The area in front of the eyes is the lores, and was not included in the quiz.
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
The auriculars are labeled:
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Question 1 Explanation:
The auriculars cover the ear, which is just behind and below the eye. There is usually a prominent crease straight behind the eye, which marks the upper edge of the auriculars, and a less prominent crease at the lower edge. At the front, just below the eye, the auriculars merge into the short bristly feathers of the lores.
Question 2 |
The throat is labeled:
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Question 2 Explanation:
The throat is easily recognized. It includes the feathers that span the underside of the lower jaw, in a plane perpendicular to the feathers on the sides of the head.
Question 3 |
The supercilium is labeled:
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Question 3 Explanation:
The feathers of the supercilium grow out from the sides of the head and curve up, in contrast to the feathers on the top of the head which simply grow back and lay flat on the head.
At its front end, just above and in front of the eye, the supercilium merges into the short bristly feathers of the lores.
Question 4 |
The malar or submoustachial is labeled:
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Question 4 Explanation:
These feathers cover the side of the lower jaw, and can be found by looking at the base of the lower mandible and following the band of feathers that begins there. It shows fairly prominent creases at the edges close to the bill, but farther back the malar feathers merge into the feather groups above and below. Notice the shadow created at the perpendicular angle between the malar feathers (on the side of the lower jaw) and the group of feathers below that spans the underside of the jaw.
Question 5 |
The crown is labeled:
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Question 5 Explanation:
Covering the top of the head, the crown feathers are fairly simple to recognize. At the front on the forehead they become very short and stiff, merging with the lores below.
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There are 5 questions to complete.
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Perfect!! that was fun