European Birds of Prey Trivia Quiz

Answer: Red kite

Towards the end of the twentieth century, the red kite population throughout Europe had been severely reduced owing partly to poisoning by pesticides used in agriculture, and also by illegal hunting and trapping.
However, in the United Kingdom numbers increased significantly after the turn of the 21st century, owing mainly to the controlled release of breeding pairs of both Swedish and Spanish origin, at various sites throughout the country. By July, 2011, the RSPB stated that numbers had increased to such an extent that it was no longer feasible to conduct annual surveys to monitor the success of the project.

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin conducted a risky experiment during a thunderstorm into the properties of lightning, by flying a kite with a metal key and wires attached. He determined that lightning was in fact a form of static electricity, and following a number of further experiments, invented the lightning rod and conductor.

Answer: Eurasian hobby

The Eurasian hobby favours open countryside as its habitat, whether cultivated land or wetlands. It feeds mainly on large insects such as dragonflies, bats and small birds which are caught whilst in flight. The hobby will often takeover the old nests of other birds, laying three or four eggs. Both the male and female hobby then share in their incubation.

Answer: Osprey

The osprey is one of the larger raptors, with a wingspan of more than seventy inches. These birds feed almost exclusively on fish so their nest sites will always be chosen close to water, whether lakes, rivers or the open sea.

Ospreys have the exceptional ability to reverse their outer talons, which allows them to grip their prey with two talons in front and also two behind. This proves extremely useful when carrying live fish back to their nests.

Answer: Long-eared owl

The long-eared owl is one of the smaller raptors, similar in size to the woodpigeon. Its name derives from tufts of head feathers that resemble ears, although they are not ears. These feathers rise up when the bird is alarmed. They seldom build their own nests, but instead takeover old treetop nests previously used by other birds.

They hunt for food during the hours of darkness, feeding mainly on mice, voles and smaller birds.

Answer: Grey heron

Grey herons tower above most other birds standing more than three feet in height and with a wingspan roughly twice that length. Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they will also prey on smaller birds, frogs and small rodents such as water voles. Generally speaking, grey herons will nest in trees close to the waterside, but will also build their nests in reeds on occasions.

These birds are gregarious in nature tending to flock together, and in some areas have even established colonies close to urban developments.

Answer: Golden eagle

One of the largest birds of prey, the golden eagle is seen to its best advantage when soaring majestically in the skies, retaining altitude by making use of upward air currents. They favour wild remote habitats when nesting, either moorlands or mountainous terrain, always choosing the highest places to build their nests.

Their prey includes rabbits, foxes, other birds, and even young lambs on occasions.

Answer: Peregrine falcon

The peregrine falcon is not only the fastest bird of prey but is actually the fastest of all living creatures, reaching incredible speeds in excess of 200mph when diving towards its intended prey. Its diet consists almost exclusively of other birds such as starlings, wood pigeons, crows and songbirds, most of which are attacked and taken in mid-air.

Answer: European honey buzzard

The European honey buzzard is migratory, spending the summer months in Europe and the winters in Africa. When making the long journeys south to Africa, these birds choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea at narrow points such as the Gibraltar Strait, as they are unable to soar over long stretches of open sea owing to the lack of thermal currents.

Their preferred habitat is dense woodland, and numbers of breeding pairs have recently increased significantly in Britain owing perhaps to a planned increase in areas of upland conifer forests.

The staple diet of honey buzzards consists mainly of the insect larvae of wasps, bees and hornets. Fortunately they are not adversely affected by wasp attacks, owing it's thought to an inbuilt chemical defence within their plumage.

Answer: Tawny owl

Tawny owls fairly common throughout most of Europe, are smallish birds of prey also referred to on occasions as brown owls. Their preferred habitat is woodland area, but being a nocturnal bird they are not easily seen during daylight hours. They feed mainly on small rodents, frogs, insects and worms, but will also take small birds if the opportunity arises. Tawny owls do not migrate and they are very protective of their nesting sites.

Answer: Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawks are one of the more common birds of prey, but being of cautious nature they are seldom seen. Male sparrowhawks are surprisingly only half the size of their female counterparts. Their diet consists mainly of small birds and rodents. A favourite ploy is to perch hidden some considerable distance from their intended prey before swooping at great speed to snatch the unsuspecting victim in their powerful talons. Wild birds that have been attracted to our gardens by seeds on our bird tables are unfortunately often an easy target.