National Birds from Around the New World Quiz

Answer: Magnificent Frigatebird

The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) can be found between Florida and southern Brazil on the Atlantic coast and between Ecuador and northern on the Pacific, with colonies also in the Galapagos and Cape Verde island groups. The largest of all species in the frigatebird family, males grow to between 35 and 45 inches in length with a wingspan of up to eight feet.

Their diet consists almost exclusively of fish, usually taken on the wing directly from the surface of the ocean. They are, however, also known to force smaller birds into regurgitating their food for them, a practice known as kleptoparasitism.

Answer: Keel-billed Toucan

Also known as a sulfur-breasted toucan or a rainbow-billed toucan, this is a The keel-billed toucan (ramphastos sulfuratus). Its habitat ranges from southern Mexico in the north to as far south as Venezuela and Colombia. It can be found roosting in holes in the canopies of rainforests, often surrounded by numerous other toucan species.
Its large bill allows the keel-billed toucan to eat a wide variety of fruit although it will also take insects, eggs, lizards and even small birds too.

Answer: Rufous-bellied Thrush

The rufous-bellied thrush ('turdus rufiventris') is a member of the thrush family ('Turdidae') specifically named for its startling red-orange underpants. A social bird, it can often be seen in mixed-species feeding flocks.
Brazilian Romantic author Gonçalves Dias referred to the rufous-bellied thrush in his patriotic work, "Canção do exílio", one of the best-known poems in Brazilian literature.

Answer: Andean Condor

The Andean condor ('vultur gryphus') is primarily a scavenger and prefers large carcasses such as deer or cattle. It nests on inaccessible rock ledges at elevations up to 16,000 feet and is one of the world's longest-living bird species, often living as long as 70 years.
Although generally shorter than its cousin, the California condor, it has a larger wingspan and is usually heavier, with males weighing as much as 33 pounds. The Andean condor's range stretches from Venezuela in the north, down the length of western South America to Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of Argentina.
The Andean condor sits atop the coat of arms of Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador, and acts as one of the two supporters on the Chilean coat of arms, the other being a huemul, a rare member of the deer family native to the country.

Answer: Palmchat

The palmchat ('Dulus dominicus') is the only species in both its genus and family, although it is related to the waxwing family. Herbivorous, the palmchat lives on a diet of fruits, berries and flowers. It is particularly to the fruits of palms and the turpentine tree, and to orchids.
Groups of palmchats build large, messy communal nests stretching up to six feet across. These are most often found in the crowns of royal palm trees, although they will use any type of tree and even telephone poles if palms are not readily available.

Answer: Turquoise-browed Motmot

The turquoise-browed motmot ('Eumomota superciliosa') can be found throughout Central America, from southeastern Mexico to Costa Rica. It is unusual amongst bird species in that both the male and female both have the hallmark racketed tails that are moved back-and-forth like a pendulum as a display to attract sexual partners.

They are also 'wagged', though, to warn their mate of the presence of a predator. In Mexico, it is also known as 'pájaro reloj' (meaning "clock bird") because of its tail-wagging. The turquoise-browed motmot will often be heard even if not seen: its nasal, croaking call carries a considerable distance.

Answer: Resplendent Quetzal

Unlike most other species in the quetzal family, which are native to South America, the resplendent quetzal is at home to the mountainous, evergreen, tropical and sub-tropical forests known as cloud forests or fog forests of Central America.
Specialized fruit eaters (although they do also take wasps and ants and small reptiles), the resplendent quetzal is integral to avocado and other trees of the laurel family. The birds swallow the fruits whole and then later regurgitate the pits, thus ensuring that the seeds are widely dispersed.
Unfortunately, this beautiful bird is a not a strong flier and, as a result, has acquired numerous regular predators including eagles, hawks and owls as well as land-based threats such as weasels and squirrels.

Answer: Hoatzin

The hoatzin ('opisthocomus hoazin'), is the only surviving species in the 'Opisthocomidae' family, whose name derives from Ancient Greek meaning "wearing long hair behind".
A noisy species, the hoatzin uses a wide range of croaks, hisses, grunts and groans. The survive on a diet of fruits, flowers and, mostly, leaves of the various plants that grow in their native swamps.
Noted for being almost tame, these birds do not flush easily and can be approached quite closely as they stumble clumsily around in search of food.

Answer: Scarlet Macaw

The scarlet macaw ('ara macao') can often be seen flying solo high above the forest canopy of Central America, although they are not hunters -- they feed exclusively on fruits, nuts and, particularly, large, hard seeds. Their natural habitat is the sub-tropical rainforests, but they can also be found on open woodland, savannahs and river edges.
The scarlet macaw was one of the first species to be bred in captivity, with evidence that man has kept them dating back more than a thousand years.

Answer: Bare-throated Bellbird

The bare-throated bellbird (Procnias nudicollis) gets the latter part of its name from the sharp sound made by the males when perched on high branches during mating season.
Native to lowland forests and moist,, sub-tropical forests, this fruit-eating species plays an important role as seed-disperser in the Atlantic coast rainforests of South America.
Unfortunately, the species is endangered not only because of habitat loss but because of its attractiveness to caged-bird collectors.