British Birds - 'The Female of the Species...' Quiz

Answer: Blackbird

Many people are surprised to learn that the brown bird hopping about in their garden borders is actually a blackbird. The male of course is all black with a bright yellow bill and eyering.
Juvenile ring ouzels could be mistaken for female blackbirds, but are birds of high ground and extremely unlikely to venture into gardens. Fieldfare and redwing both come into gardens particularly in bad weather but both have clearly defined spots on their breasts.

Answer: Mallard

Mallards are found in most places where there is water. Many dabbling duck females look remarkably similar, especially from a distance, the female mallard's purple speculum is diagnostic. Teal is smaller than mallard with a small green speculum; shoveler has an odd shaped bill and also has a green speculum; gadwall has a very noticeable white speculum.

Answer: Blackcap

In most species of warbler found in Britain, the sexes are similar. Blackcap is one of the few exceptions: only the male has the black cap, whilst that of the female is a reddish- brown.

Answer: Marsh harrier

When British birdwatchers see a large, brown bird of prey in flight, the first thing they often look for is a cream-coloured cap. Female marsh harrier is the only British raptor with this marking.

Answer: House sparrow

House sparrows are still common birds in much of Britain, however there has been a (largely unexplained) decline in numbers during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Female reed bunting could be confused with house sparrow but have a streaky breast and two white stripes across the face.

Answer: Pied flycatcher

Pied flycatchers usually arrive in mid May, sometimes later. They are most common in western oakwoods. Female pied flycatcher could be confused with spotted flycatcher but, as its name suggests, spotted flycatcher has a streaked or spotted breast and less white on its wings.

Answer: Chaffinch

Chaffinch and brambling are closely related species but female bramblings always display some orange on their breasts. Linnets are also finches; they usually stay in the countryside and are not common in gardens. Yellowhammers are rarely seen in gardens and appear yellow.

Answer: Pheasant

Pheasants are common birds in much of Britain. The male is a colourful bird and easily spotted. The female tends to be much more secretive. Moorhens are water birds. Quail are small game birds and Ptarmigan are usually only found at high altitudes.

Answer: Goosander

Female goosander and red-breasted meganser can look similar but there are important differences. Goosander has clearly defined neck and head markings, Red-breasted merganser's colours tend to blend into each other and she has a cream not white throat. Red-breasted merganser females have a noticeable spiky crest, whereas the crest on female goosanders often lies flat. Smew females are smaller than goosander and have white cheeks.
Goldeneye females are mostly brown.

Answer: Red-necked phalarope

Red-necked phalarope breed in the Arctic. In Britain they are usually seen in their non-breeding plumage, occasionally one or two turn up in their breeding colours and are a spectacular sight.