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Quiz about Bird of Prey Names Explained 1

Bird of Prey Names Explained #1 Quiz

Ever wondered why the Latin names of species are what they are? This quiz explains the Latin names, and all you have to do is work out which raptor they describe.

A multiple-choice quiz by Yarrmate. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Yarrmate

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
320,101

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
554

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which hawk, found in southern USA and Mexico is described by these names? The species name is Parabuteo unicintus, and translates to "Like a buzzard with one stripe." Hint

Red-tailed hawk

Harris hawk

Northern goshawk

Sharp-shinned hawk

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This weird looking African bird is the only one found in its genus. The Latin name is Sagittarius serpentarius: The archer of snakes. In English, what is it called? Hint

Lammergeier

Crested eagle

Secretary bird

Ostrich

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This African bird has the Latin name Haliaeetus vocifer. Haliaeetus tells us that it is a sea-eagle, and "vocifer" is a nod of the head to its unique call. What is the common name? Hint

Tawny eagle

Hawk eagle

Fish eagle

Golden eagle

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. This bird is a sea eagle, with the latin name Haliaeetus albicilla. Albicilla tells us that it has a white tail. What is the common name for this bird? Hint

Osprey

Golden eagle

Bald eagle

White-tailed sea eagle

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. This falcon is supposedly the fastest bird on the planet. Its Latin name, Falco peregrinus, means the wandering falcon. Hint

Peregrine

Sparrowhawk

Hobby

Merlin

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. This owl was supposedly the familiar of the Greek goddess Athena, so its Latin name is Athene noctua - the nocturnal Athena. What is its common name? Hint

Barn owl

Little owl

Eagle owl

Tawny owl

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This falcon, Falco subbuteo, actually has the translation of "the falcon less than the buzzard", despite not being related to the buteos. What is it more commonly called? Hint

Hobby

Peregrine

Merlin

Kestrel

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. This eagle is typically found in Australia, and the Latin name Aquila audax means "the eagle who is bold". It has an unmistakable tail shape. What does it normally get called? Hint

White-tailed eagle

Crested eagle

Spotted eagle

Wedge-tailed eagle

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This raptor is an owl. The Latin name, Tyto alba, translates simply as a white owl. It describes the bird very well. What is the common name? Hint

Snowy owl

Eagle owl

Tawny owl

Barn owl

10. Despite having the Latin name that translates to the falcon of the peasant, Falco rusticulus, this falcon was traditionally only flown by medieval kings. It is the largest of all falcons. Hint

Peregrine

Merlin

Kestrel

Gyrfalcon

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which hawk, found in southern USA and Mexico is described by these names? The species name is Parabuteo unicintus, and translates to "Like a buzzard with one stripe."

Answer: Harris hawk

The Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) gets its Latin name due to the fact that the juvenile looks remarkably like a common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and the adult has one white stripe at the base of its tail.

2. This weird looking African bird is the only one found in its genus. The Latin name is Sagittarius serpentarius: The archer of snakes. In English, what is it called?

Answer: Secretary bird

Although it rarely flies, the secretary bird is not flightless. It uses its long legs and sharp talons to pound snakes, hitting them accurately in the head and usually killing them with the first strike.

3. This African bird has the Latin name Haliaeetus vocifer. Haliaeetus tells us that it is a sea-eagle, and "vocifer" is a nod of the head to its unique call. What is the common name?

Answer: Fish eagle

The species name, vocifer, derives from the Latin vociferari "to shout, or yell." The African fish eagle is sometimes described as the voice of Africa, with a high pitched scream for a call.

4. This bird is a sea eagle, with the latin name Haliaeetus albicilla. Albicilla tells us that it has a white tail. What is the common name for this bird?

Answer: White-tailed sea eagle

A very imaginatively named bird, the white-tailed sea eagle is an eagle that lives near the sea, and has a white tail. The white-tailed sea eagle is the Eurasian equivalent of the bald eagle. It became extinct in the UK, but a successful program of reintroduction means that there were 40 breeding pairs recorded in 2008.

5. This falcon is supposedly the fastest bird on the planet. Its Latin name, Falco peregrinus, means the wandering falcon.

Answer: Peregrine

Peregrines are known for long migratory routes, breeding in north Alaska and migrating as far south as the tip of South America in the winters. In level flight, a peregrine is only about as fast as a pigeon, 40-50 mph, but in a stoop (dive), they have been recorded at speeds of over 200 mph.

6. This owl was supposedly the familiar of the Greek goddess Athena, so its Latin name is Athene noctua - the nocturnal Athena. What is its common name?

Answer: Little owl

This is the bird that gave rise to the legend of the "wise old owl". After all, hanging round Athena must have made the bird wise! The little owl lives up to its common name - it is only about 10 inchs (25cms) long - but not so much its wise roots. After all, a bird that small can't have too big a brain!

7. This falcon, Falco subbuteo, actually has the translation of "the falcon less than the buzzard", despite not being related to the buteos. What is it more commonly called?

Answer: Hobby

The hobby is often found in open farmland, and is extremely agile. It will actively hunt swallows and martins, and will easily take them on the wing. An inventor once designed a table top soccer game that he wanted to call "Hobby", but the name was considered too generic. Being a birdwatcher, he simply used the Latin name, and the game of Subbuteo was born.

8. This eagle is typically found in Australia, and the Latin name Aquila audax means "the eagle who is bold". It has an unmistakable tail shape. What does it normally get called?

Answer: Wedge-tailed eagle

The Wedgie, as it is affectionately known, is considered to be a local variation of the golden eagle, and several other species, leading to the term super-species to be coined. It has a wingspan of about 8.5ft (over 2.5m), and as the name suggests, a wedge shaped tail.

9. This raptor is an owl. The Latin name, Tyto alba, translates simply as a white owl. It describes the bird very well. What is the common name?

Answer: Barn owl

The barn owl is also known as the ghost owl, due to its striking white underbelly, and liking to roost in old English churches and abandoned barns. Oh, and the piercing shriek that it has for a cry helps too. It is one of the most widespread owl, and any bird, in the world, being found almost everywhere on the planet except the polar and desert regions.

10. Despite having the Latin name that translates to the falcon of the peasant, Falco rusticulus, this falcon was traditionally only flown by medieval kings. It is the largest of all falcons.

Answer: Gyrfalcon

The only person that had better birds than the king was an emperor, who was permitted to fly golden eagles, vultures, and bizzarely, the tiny merlin. The King was allowed a gyr (either sex), and a prince was allowed the larger female peregrine. There was even a specific bird assigned to a holy water clerk.

Source: Author Yarrmate

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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