Bird trivia

8 bird trivia questions, from easy to hard. Tap a question to see the answer. They're real questions from Rubicon, where you type the answer yourself and an AI judge reads what you meant.

This set covers Bird Reproduction & Nesting, Birds of Prey, Flightless Birds, Parrots, Corvids & Bird Intelligence, Songbirds & Mimics and Waterfowl & Seabirds.

Questions and answers

  1. Easy Which predators do light-colored shorebird eggs protect against?

    Pale patterned shells protect young from birds searching for nests from the sky.

  2. Easy Why do ospreys plunge into the water feet-first when hunting fish, rather than headfirst?

    Ospreys plunge feet-first to absorb the impact of hitting the water and to instantly grab fish with their talons.

  3. Easy Why do Australia's little penguins wait until dusk to waddle ashore?

    They wait for dusk to cross the open beach under the cover of darkness, avoiding predatory birds.

  4. Medium How do scrub jays demonstrate future planning when caching treats for the next morning?

    They stash specific foods in compartments where they know that particular meal will not be served tomorrow.

  5. Medium How do European marsh warblers assemble songs composed of motifs from dozens of African birds?

    Marsh warblers learn and mimic calls heard while spending their winter months in sub-Saharan Africa.

  6. Medium Why does a gannet pull its wings tightly back right before striking the ocean surface?

    Tucking its wings creates a streamlined shape, preventing injury and reducing water resistance.

  7. Hard Given the competitive advantage males gain by arriving first, why have female migratory songbirds not evolved to arrive equally early?

    Females face high mortality risks from early spring food scarcity without gaining territorial benefits, preferring to arrive when food is reliable.

  8. Hard In the traditional English proverb derived from medieval falconry, what specific location completes the phrase: 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the...'?

    The proverb finishes with the word 'bush'.

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