It's In The Birdseed! Quiz | Wild Birds

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Our first birdseed ingredient is grown commercially as the seeds of the plant are usually processed into cooking oil. Birds, however, prefer just to eat the seeds of which of the following plants?

Answer: Safflower

The safflower is a thistle-like plant that is commercially grown for the vegetable oil that is processed from the seeds. Each flower head can produce as many as 15-20 seeds that can be used for birdseed, as well as coloring or flavoring food. Dating all the way back to ancient Egypt, the seeds were used for dying textiles; interestingly, safflower garlands were found in King Tut's tomb! Cultivated today mainly for the vegetable oil extracted from the seeds, safflower seeds are also popular in bird feeders because squirrels don't like it!

2. The hungry fellow is enjoying the fruit of a plant that is usually called the heart or kernel. What term, one that is really incorrect, is used for this birdseed ingredient that humans also eat?

Answer: Sunflower Seeds

Actually what people called the sunflower seed is the hull or pericarp. Usually categorized by the pattern on the husk, if it is solid black, the seeds are called black oil sunflower seeds, and are pressed into oil. Striped sunflower seeds are usually used as food.

Many believe the black oil seeds are the best to feed to birds, as the shells are easy to break open and the food inside is very nutritious. Cardinals and nuthatches would be attracted to feeders with this food. On the other hand, hulled sunflower seeds can also be purchased.

They are more expensive, however, there is less mess around the bird feeding area. Although the striped seeds are more difficult to break open, using them may keep squirrels and other critters away from your feeder.

The fellow eating in the picture was identified as the downy woodpecker.

3. This ingredient of commercially made birdseed is grown worldwide. Which grass, used as a staple crop for at least 10,000 years, feeds both humans as a cereal crop and animals as fodder?

Answer: Millet

People have been consuming millet since the beginning of civilization. Even though different types of millet are found world-wide, it is believed that the cultivation of the pearl millet in the picture began in west Africa. The ability to grow in arid conditions, as well as in poor soil makes millet an important crop today.

Many different birds, including the gold finch, indigo bunting, and grosbeaks, enjoy having millet seeds added to their food.

4. After corn and rice, this grain is the third most-produced cereal crop in the world today. Check the contents on your birdseed bag, and make sure it doesn't contain too much! Which crop is the leading source of vegetable protein in human food but isn't a bird's favorite?

Answer: Wheat

It is really important to make sure your birdseed mix doesn't contain too much wheat, which is sometimes used as a filler in less expensive birdseed products. Most birds aren't very crazy about it; in fact, they will throw it on the ground instead of eating it! While wheat birdseed will attract doves and pigeons, it is possible to buy no-wheat birdseed, which will attract a wider variety of birds.

The lovebirds shown in the picture appear to be enjoying whatever has been used to make the seed-block!

5. Our next ingredient in bird food is a seed harvested from a grass. Which of the following shares its name with a group of islands where it has been grown for centuries?

Answer: Canary Seed

Originating in the Mediterranean, canary grass, which resembles wheat, is grown all over the world and is usually harvested for use in birdseed. In some areas of the world, such as Italy, North Africa, Mexico, and the Canary Islands, the seed is used as food for humans.

6. This fellow has found a common garden vegetable in his feeder! Which dried vegetable is found in many varieties in birdseed, such as green split, yellow split and whole?

Answer: Pea

Once again, it is important to check out the ingredients in the mix of birdseed that you purchase. Dried peas are another ingredient that is used as a filler. Smaller birds are unable to eat dried peas; it is suggested that you cook them before putting them in a bird feeder because only larger birds are able to digest uncooked dried peas. Smaller lentils or peanuts may be a better choice for most birds.

The bird in the picture is a wood pigeon.

7. Although this grain will also attract squirrels to the feeder, it is very popular among birds. What is fed to the birds either cracked or whole kernel?

Answer: Corn

Cracked corn is a great addition to birdseed because it is liked by many species, is relatively inexpensive, and is easily available. Blue jays, blackbirds, cardinals, and woodpeckers are among the birds that enjoy corn. The type of feeder seen is the picture can help discourage squirrels and other critters that might be interested in feeding on corn!

8. Contrary to what you may think, this seed does not have the birds flying a little higher than usual! Which birdseed is also used in the manufacture of some paints and plastics?

Answer: Hemp Seed

Hemp seeds have a variety of uses; they can be eaten raw, made into hemp milk, or prepared as a tea. Don't worry! Hemp seeds contain only a trace of THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana. Grosbeaks, parrots, and cardinals in particular love to eat hemp seeds, which are sterilized in the United States before being packaged into bird feed.

9. Which seed, which is technically a fruit called achene, is commonly called nyjer and is a favorite food of goldfinches?

Answer: Thistle Seed

Nyjer is considered to be the only correct name for the birdseed which resembles small grains of wild rice. It is heated to avoid germination in order to prevent the spread of invasive weed seeds that may enter the United States. American farmers fear the spread of thistles, which can quickly take over fields. High in calories and oil content, nyjer has been a popular ingredient in food for wild birds for quite some time.

It is important to place it in a bird feeder that prevents spillage.

10. Which grain, commonly called commercial sorghum, is grown world-wide and used as an ingredient in birdseed?

Answer: Milo

Milo is a grass grain that comes in two varieties, red or white. In some commercial birdseeds, milo is used as a filler, comprising 40-50 per cent of the mix in cheaper bird feeds. While it is not the favorite food of wild birds, many will eat it. These include game birds, such as wild turkeys and pheasants, large doves and jays, and ground-feeding birds, such as European starlings.

The grain is a good source of iron and fiber, however, some wild birds have problems digesting it. It may be necessary to dilute the milo with a grain such as black oil sunflower seeds, which will attract other types of birds.

Source: Author ponycargirl

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

It's In The Birdseed! Trivia Quiz

Who doesn't love to sit and watch the antics of wild birds at a feeder? Have you ever wondered what ingredients are usually included in the commercially manufactured birdseed that people use? Let's see!

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