Beginners Quiz #2

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This quiz contains the bird species that are most commonly encountered across the United States. Of course, 'common' is a relative term...some of these species are common only for part of the year, others are common only in specific habitats. It is very helpful to become familiar with these species.

Start

Question 1

A	American Goldfinch
B	Common Yellowthroat Hint: Yes!
C	Yellow Warbler
D	House Wren
E	Yellow-throated Vireo

Question 2

A	Carolina Chickadee
B	Tufted Titmouse
C	House Wren
D	White-breasted Nuthatch
E	Black-and-white Warbler

Question 3

A	Common Moorhen
B	Double-crested Cormorant
C	Green Heron Hint: Very Good!
D	Great Blue Heron
E	American Bittern

Question 4

A	Brant
B	Canada Goose Hint: Yes. Our most common goose in the US.
C	Ring-necked Duck
D	Mute Swan
E	Mallard

Question 5

A	Eastern Kingbird Hint: Eastern Kingbird has a dark grayish-black back and white belly, with no rufous color.
B	Belted Kingfisher Hint: Well done. The large bill of the Belted Kingfisher is used to catch fish and other food when diving into water.
C	Rufous Motmot Hint: A Motmot would not be found in North America and does not have a white belly.
D	Blue Jay Hint: A Blue Jay has bright blue in the wings, not the uniform steely-gray of this bird.
E	Tufted Titmouse Hint: Although it has a distinct tuft on its head, the bill is much too large for a Tufted Titmouse.

Question 6

A	Northern Cardinal Hint: Yes. The male cardinal is nearly all-red, with a black face mask.
B	Tufted Titmouse
C	Scarlet Tanager
D	Vermillion Flycatcher
E	Carolina Chickadee

Question 7

A	Indigo Bunting Hint: Try again. Indigo buntings would have more uniform blue body and belly.
B	Eastern Kingbird Hint: Eastern Kingbird is grayish-black above, not blue.
C	Cerulean Warbler Hint: The bill is too small for a warbler; Cerulean warblers also have white wing bars.
D	Tree Swallow Hint: Well done. Tree Swallows are often seen in large flocks swooping to catch insects in flight.
E	Eastern Bluebird Hint: Bluebirds would not have the all-white belly seen here.

Question 8

A	Northern Flicker Hint: Although they are a similar size to this quiz bird and are commonly seen nearby, flickers have spots on the belly and a black chest patch.
B	Red-headed Woodpecker Hint: No. Don't be fooled by the red cap. Red-headed woodpecker has an all-red head and neck.
C	Red-bellied Woodpecker Hint: Excellent! A common and fairly large woodpecker. The red color on the lower part of the belly is not always obvious.
D	Hairy Woodpecker Hint: Hairy Woodpeckers have back-and-white face markings.
E	Rufous-capped Warbler Hint: Rufous-capped Warbler has a smaller bill with a yellow breast and is rare in North America.

Question 9

A	Bald Eagle Hint: An adult Bald Eagle has a white head.
B	Common Black Hawk Hint: A Common Black Hawk has black feathers on its head and is rare in North America.
C	Osprey Hint: Ospreys are hawk-like birds, but with black-and white faces.
D	Turkey Vulture Hint: Yes! The naked head is indicative of a vulture.
E	Black Vulture Hint: The Black Vulture has a mostly black head.

Question 10

A	Hermit Thrush
B	Black-billed Cuckoo
C	Rock Dove
D	Killdeer
E	Mourning Dove Hint: Yes.

Question 11

A	House Sparrow
B	Spotted Sandpiper
C	Hermit Thrush
D	European Starling
E	Northern Mockingbird

Question 12

A	Black-throated Gray Warbler
B	Carolina Chickadee
C	House Sparrow Hint: Yes. This is the common sparrow of most cities and towns.
D	Song Sparrow
E	House Finch

Question 13

A	Lesser Yellowlegs
B	Solitary Sandpiper
C	Killdeer Hint: Excellent!
D	Bobolink
E	Dunlin

Question 14

A	House Finch Hint: The bill on a House Finch would be shorter and stubbier, for eating seeds.
B	House Wren Hint: House wrens do not have the white supercilium above the eye.
C	Wood Thrush Hint: Try again. Wood Thrush has large dark spots on the breast and belly.
D	Brown Thrasher Hint: Brown Thrashers have streaked bellies, and yellow eyes without the eyestripe.
E	Carolina Wren Hint: Yes. The perky tail, long bill, and white supercillium are good indicators for Carolina Wren.

Question 15

A	Sea Gull Hint: The term "Sea Gull" does not refer to a specific species. Our quiz bird is often found near salt water though.
B	Snow Goose Hint: Despite the webbed feet, this is not a goose.
C	Ivory Gull Hint: Ivory Gulls are all-white with smaller bills.
D	Common Tern Hint: Try again. Common Tern has a thinner bill than this bird.
E	Herring Gull Hint: Good. The Herring Gull is one of the most common gulls on the eastern coast and one of the largest

Question 16

A	Canada Goose
B	American Coot
C	Hooded Merganser
D	Mallard Hint: Yes. Mallards can often be seen even in city parks.
E	Green-winged Teal

Question 17

A	Tufted Titmouse Hint: Tufted titmouse has gray forehead and crest and is overall more uniform gray on back.
B	Boreal Chickadee Hint: Boreal Chickadee has a brown cap.
C	White-breasted Nuthatch Hint: White-breasted nuthatch is all-white around the eyes and throat, with a longer, pointier bill.
D	Black-throated gray warbler Hint: Black-throated gray warblers are darker gray with a broad white supercilium above the eye.
E	Black-capped Chickadee Hint: Yes! In woodlands chickadees often appear in mixed flocks with other species, including Tufted Titmouse and White-breasted Nuthatch.

Question 18

A	Northern Mockingbird Hint: Yes. The Northern mockingbird is a widespread species, even found in neighborhoods within towns and cities. It has a varied song that can mimic the sounds of other birds.
B	White-throated Sparrow Hint: White-throated sparrows are mostly brown.
C	Loggerhead Shrike Hint: Shrikes have a black face mask and black primaries.
D	Long-billed Thrasher Hint: Thrashers are mostly brown, with striped breasts.
E	Gray Catbird Hint: Catbirds are nearly uniform darker gray with a black cap.