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New Zealand Birds Trivia Quiz

Have a nudge at my simple yet hopefully informative first quiz on the birds of New Zealand! Bon appetit.

A multiple-choice quiz by rego55. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
rego55

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
249,876

Updated
Jun 01 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
731

Question 1 of 10

1. The purple swamp hen, a bird often seen around much of New Zealand, is known by what Maori name? Hint

Pukeko.

Kiwi.

Takahe.

Kaka.

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The bills of the different sexes of this particular bird are so strikingly different that early naturalists thought them to be different species. What is it? Hint

Royal albatross.

Kiwi.

Sooty shearwater.

Huia.

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. When taking a walk through the bush in New Zealand you may often notice a little bird cheeping brightly and following you through the trees. This is the fantail. Why is it following you? Hint

It is looking for insects stirred up when people walk through the bush.

It has grown tame and is waiting for you to give it some of your sandwich.

It knows that humans will scare away its main predator, the grass snake.

It has just been to Disneyland and wants a slice of Disney movie pie.

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Dr. G.B.Orbell rediscovered this thought to be extinct bird in a glacial valley in the South Island in the 1940s. What was it? Hint

Spotted kiwi

Giant moa

Takahe

Takanini

5. The Chatham Island black robin was close to extinction in 1980 though it survived thanks to one breeding pair. One of the names of the robins in this breeding pair was 'Old Blue'. What was the other called? Hint

Old Robbo.

Old Red.

Old Yellow.

Old Black.

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The tui is known as what in English, owing to the white tuft of feathers on its throat? Hint

Vicar's bird

Parson's bird

Priestly bird

Lord's bird

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. At night in the New Zealand bush you can hear the haunting call 'morepork, morepork' of the, ah-hem, morepork. What's it called in Maori? Hint

Ruru

Piwakawaka

Kouma

Kaheha

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. According to naturalist Stephen Jay Gould, this burrower should be labelled an unofficial mammal. Hint

Yellow eyed penguin

Kiwi

Kea

Goulder's pigeon

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. This magnificent bird's last breeding grounds were discovered at Okarito in Westland in 1865, where it clung on for dear life for a time before making something of a comeback. Hint

Takahe

Kokako

Giant moa

Kotuku

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following about the yellow eyed penguin or hoiho is NOT true? Hint

It lives in the forest.

Its Maori name means 'noisy eater'.

It is the rarest penguin in the world.

It lives in pairs.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The purple swamp hen, a bird often seen around much of New Zealand, is known by what Maori name?

Answer: Pukeko.

The pukeko looks very similar to the takahe. It is found in abundance and is often thought of as a bit of a pest rather than one of New Zealand's more head-turning individuals.

2. The bills of the different sexes of this particular bird are so strikingly different that early naturalists thought them to be different species. What is it?

Answer: Huia.

The female of this extinct bird had a very long curved beak to obtain nectar from flowers whereas the male's was short like a sparrow's. Their white-tipped tail feathers were highly prized by Maori, and they were already in trouble before the Europeans arrived and finished the job.

3. When taking a walk through the bush in New Zealand you may often notice a little bird cheeping brightly and following you through the trees. This is the fantail. Why is it following you?

Answer: It is looking for insects stirred up when people walk through the bush.

The common fantail is known as piwakawaka in Maori. It really does follow you looking for insects and is very cute.

4. Dr. G.B.Orbell rediscovered this thought to be extinct bird in a glacial valley in the South Island in the 1940s. What was it?

Answer: Takahe

Thought to be extinct around 1930, the takahe was living secretly in the Murchison Ranges. Dr. George Orbell refused to believe it was extinct and his continual search resulted in the finding of a large population in 1948.

Answer: Old Yellow.

There were only five black robins in 1980 with only one breeding pair. Thanks to that breeding pair and the work of the New Zealand Department of Conservation, today they number around 250. They can only be found on the Chatam Islands.

6. The tui is known as what in English, owing to the white tuft of feathers on its throat?

Answer: Parson's bird

The tui is a mockingbird meaning it can imitate the call of other birds. Their call is extremely beautiful and it's a real pleasure to listen to their squeaks, caws, chortles and whistles if you get the chance.

7. At night in the New Zealand bush you can hear the haunting call 'morepork, morepork' of the, ah-hem, morepork. What's it called in Maori?

Answer: Ruru

The piwakawaka is the fantail. The other two don't exist.

8. According to naturalist Stephen Jay Gould, this burrower should be labelled an unofficial mammal.

Answer: Kiwi

Mr Gould was so taken aback by the strange burrowing nature and fur-like feathers of the kiwi that he declared it an unofficial mammal!

9. This magnificent bird's last breeding grounds were discovered at Okarito in Westland in 1865, where it clung on for dear life for a time before making something of a comeback.

Answer: Kotuku

The Kotuku is the New Zealand white heron. You can canoe around Okarito lagoon to see them for just a few dollars.

He Kotuku rerenga tahi.

A Kotuku's flight is seen but once.

10. Which of the following about the yellow eyed penguin or hoiho is NOT true?

Answer: Its Maori name means 'noisy eater'.

Its Maori name actually means 'noisy shouter' because its call can be heard across the sea and through the forest.

Source: Author rego55

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