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Quiz about Of Sandpipers Plovers and Other Watery Birds

Of Sandpipers, Plovers and Other Watery Birds Quiz

Shorebirds can be rather difficult to identify in the field. These North American ones might not be so hard after taking this quiz though.

A multiple-choice quiz by StetsonHat. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
StetsonHat

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
335,164

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
286

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Some of the better known shorebirds are the plovers which comprise a separate family. To what family do these birds belong? Hint

Anatidae

Laridae

Charadriidae

Mimidae

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Question 2 of 10

2. A number of plovers sport a black band around the neck or upper breast area but which North American species can be positively identified on account of having two black breast bands? Hint

Semipalmated plover

Killdeer

Mountain plover

Snowy plover

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Wilson's plover breeds from southern Alaska down the Pacific coast to northern California.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. Sandpipers and plovers are both commonly found in wetland habitats. How does the shape of the bill differ between these two groups? Hint

Sandpiper bills curl upward while plovers have straight bills

The bills look similar and are not helpful in telling these two groups apart

Sandpipers have yellow bills while plover's bills have a variety of colors

Sandpipers have a slender bill where plovers have a shorter and thicker bill

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which large and slender shorebird is easily identified during the breeding season by its long, upward curving bill and its orange/buff to pinkish neck and head? Hint

American avocet

Whimbrel

Black-necked stilt

Ruddy turnstone

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following North American shorebirds has a downward curving bill? Hint

Greater yellowlegs

Long-billed curlew

Black oystercatcher

Killdeer

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the main difference between the lesser yellowlegs and the greater yellowlegs? Hint

Color of legs

Number of wing bars

Curvature of bill

Size

8. The black oystercatcher is, as the name suggests, a mostly black shorebird. It can be found along the Pacific coast. What color is its bill, making for a striking contrast to its black plumage? Hint

Bright red-orange

Deep blue

It's black as well

Emerald green

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which family of shorebirds is classified as the Recurvirostridae? Hint

Oystercatchers

Phalaropes

Sandpipers

Stilts and avocets

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Question 10 of 10

10. How does the non-breeding plumage of the spotted sandpiper differ from the breeding plumage? Hint

There is no discernible difference

Non-breeding birds have prominent wing bars which are lacking during the breeding season

Non-breeding birds sport an all-white plumage

The non-breeding plumage lacks the distinctive spots of breeding birds

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Some of the better known shorebirds are the plovers which comprise a separate family. To what family do these birds belong?

Answer: Charadriidae

The Charadriidae include the plovers as well as the lapwings. They can be found worldwide with about 10 more or less commonly found in North America. Their diet consists mostly of marine animals and insects.

2. A number of plovers sport a black band around the neck or upper breast area but which North American species can be positively identified on account of having two black breast bands?

Answer: Killdeer

The killdeer is so named because of the distinctive "kill-deeah" call it makes. Killdeer have been observed feigning an injury in order to lure potential predators away from the nest.

3. The Wilson's plover breeds from southern Alaska down the Pacific coast to northern California.

Answer: False

Wilson's plover (Charadrius wilsonia) actually breeds along the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf Coast roughly from North Carolina down to Mexico and beyond. Its black bill and pinkish legs aid in identifying this species.

4. Sandpipers and plovers are both commonly found in wetland habitats. How does the shape of the bill differ between these two groups?

Answer: Sandpipers have a slender bill where plovers have a shorter and thicker bill

Even though these birds all like similar habitats and have similar diets, plovers have to get along with much shorter and thicker bills on average than sandpipers and their allies.

5. Which large and slender shorebird is easily identified during the breeding season by its long, upward curving bill and its orange/buff to pinkish neck and head?

Answer: American avocet

The avocet likes mudflats, marshes and other wetland areas and is more commonly seen in western North America than in the eastern half of the continent. During the non-breeding season the neck and head are gray instead of orange to pink.

6. Which of the following North American shorebirds has a downward curving bill?

Answer: Long-billed curlew

The long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus) nests in western interior North America but can occasionally be seen in the east as well. It overwinters along the Pacific coast and south into Mexico and along the Gulf of Mexico.

7. What is the main difference between the lesser yellowlegs and the greater yellowlegs?

Answer: Size

As might be expected from the common names of these two species, the greater yellowlegs is the larger of the two, measuring about 14 inches instead of the 10-11 inches for the lesser yellowlegs. The greater yellowlegs also has a proportionally larger bill.

Answer: Bright red-orange

This rather uncommon shorebird is unmistakable with its black plumage and bright red-orange bill. It prefers rocky coasts and inlets. A close relative, the American oystercatcher, has black and white plumage and can be found along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts.

9. Which family of shorebirds is classified as the Recurvirostridae?

Answer: Stilts and avocets

The American avocet and black-necked stilt are the two North American representatives of this family. These long-legged and long-billed birds feed on a diet of insects and marine invertebrates.

10. How does the non-breeding plumage of the spotted sandpiper differ from the breeding plumage?

Answer: The non-breeding plumage lacks the distinctive spots of breeding birds

The spotted sandpiper is one of the most commonly occurring shorebirds in North America. During the breeding season they do justice to their name, sporting a spotted belly and sides. They can be found in a variety of habitats throughout most of Canada and the United States.

Source: Author StetsonHat

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