Quiz 51: Estimating Numbers
Another quiz to test your skill at estimating numbers of birds in flocks.
Birding Skills
Quiz 50: Bird topography – upperside
Here is a new quiz about the topography of the upperparts of a large songbird.
Quiz 49: Estimating numbers of birds
This time the answers are arranged randomly, instead of sequentially, and I think this makes it a little harder, since it’s harder to use the range of possible answers as a clue. Suggestions are always welcome.
Quiz 46 – Estimating numbers
Estimating numbers in flocks of birds is a skill that birders need to practice, but we rarely get a chance to test ourselves. We see a flock, guess the total number, and write it down. We might be off by a large margin, but we’ll never know. Here is a quiz (and more to come) …
Why are Yellowlegs hard to identify?
The flippant answer is “…because they look alike”, and they can be very alike. Most of what you read about yellowlegs will tell you to look at bill length to distinguish the species. The bill of Greater Yellowlegs is actually longer (50 mm or more, compared to Lesser’s 40 mm or less) but birders deal …
Understanding Alarm Calls of Birds
Among the many benefits of paying attention to bird sounds is that they give you an insight into what the birds are doing. Through their songs and calls the birds announce not only their presence, but also what they are doing. One example is the mobbing of predators. Birds give alarm calls when they see …
Quiz 38: More feathers, and a prize
Today’s quiz features a bonus And we have a winner – Congratulations to Nicholas! Thanks to all who entered. Watch for another quiz giveaway in the near future. Everyone who submits a perfect score by 9 PM Eastern Time on Thursday May 24th, will be entered in a drawing to win a prize. The prize …
Quiz 37: Bird topography
Test your knowledge of bird feather topography with the questions below.
The annual plumage cycle of a male American Goldfinch
Molt is the process of feather replacement. All birds do it; they have to grow new feathers once or twice a year to stay warm, dry, and airborne, and in many cases they grow differently colored feathers at different seasons to match their surroundings or to impress others of their species. Among the small songbirds, …
The annual plumage cycle of a male American Goldfinch Read More »