On Wings and A Prayer Trivia Quiz

Answer: Budgerigar

Budgerigars, also known as parakeets, are little parrots found throughout the lower rainfall areas of Australia. Their favourite foods are assorted seeds from wild plants. Roaming free, their natural colouring is green and gold, but when bred in captivity, budgies (as we call them here) can be designed in an amazing array of other beautiful colours. Yet, to keep these lovely little creatures caged up is just a little bit heartbreaking.

Answer: Eastern bluebird

The eastern bluebird loves to live in areas of open woodland, farms and orchards right throughout the state of Missouri. So common is it there that it has been named as the state bird of same. The little bluebird could be considered an omnivore of sorts.

It eats insects, beetles, earthworms, spiders, centipedes, snails and the like - but like to polish off this feast with treats of wild fruits, berries and honeysuckle. A very balanced diet indeed. The shells of its eggs, when laid, are usually a soft blue shade. Alas, though, the eastern bluebird is the prey of many predators, including chipmunks, squirrels, snakes, cats and owls.

This is sad: If the female bluebird is alone on her nest when she spots a predator hovering nearby, she will begin to sing, in a desperate attempt to attract a mate to help protect her and her young.

Answer: Ashy Minivet

Although most minivets come in warmer colours, the ashy minivet can only be found in soft tones of grey, white and black. Its song is somewhat akin to a coloratura soprano, as it is very high and sweet. Found in eastern Asia only, the ashy minivet is one of the few passerines that moult twice a year.

Answer: Umbrella bird

The umbrella bird from South America, with its large inflatable wattle dangling from its neck, is one of the most unusual looking birds I've ever seen. Named for an umbrella because of its distinctive crest, it's that wattle that is so fascinating. It is inflated by the bird for the purpose of making very loud, booming calls - a little like Pavarotti in the rain.

Answer: Toucan

Toucans are primarily fruit eaters, but now and then lower themselves to eat an insect or two. With bodies approximately the size of a crow, this fascinating and brightly coloured bird has a huge beak which, comically so, it uses to fence and wrestle. For the life of me, I can't help but be reminded of American actor and noted philanthropist, Danny Thomas, whenever I see one.

He had a large and distinctive beak as well.

Answer: Immaculate Antbird

The immaculate antbird can be found in the forests of the Andes along the west coast of South America. Also known as the blue-lored antbird, its name reflects the fact that it can be found wherever army ants are located. Those cannibalistic creatures are part of its everyday diet.

Answer: Frigatebird

This large and fascinating bird can be found in most tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world. Both the male and female are coloured black for the most part, with the female having a dash of white on her belly. One must have a touch of colour, my dear.

The male, though, really catches the eye with a large red pouch under his beak. When he is trying to impress the ladies, he inflates this to a sometimes astonishing size and creates a kind of drumming sound from within. Oh, this is so cute: When a female has chosen the mate that appeals to her the most, she cruises seductively up to him, and allows him to take her beak in his own, in a kind of birdy hand holding.

Answer: Ultramarine kingfisher

Found throughout the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, the ultramarine kingfisher lives in the forested areas of these countries, where it likes to sit quietly camouflaged in trees waiting for its prey to wander by, before swooping down to attack it. Oh, I say, that's dirty pool, old chap! Sometimes, as a break from that everyday routine, it decides to display itself out in the open - but the result is still the same. Breakfast.

Answer: Lorikeet

These beautifully coloured Australian birds can be found anywhere in areas with trees that bear soft fruit and nectar gathering blossoms. They particularly love native Australian trees and bushes of course, and one swears when a flock of them descends on them to feed off their nectar that they sometimes become intoxicated.

They occasionally fall off the branches and, the longer they feed, the noisier and more inclined to argue with each other they become. Lorikeets have what is described as a " brush-like" tongue in order for them to absorb as much nectar as possible each time they dip into plants.

Answer: Beautiful Firetail

The beautiful firetail is a species of finch also from Australia. That snippet of information fascinated me as I didn't realise we had them here. Aha, this is why - they're from the south-east of Australia, but this "bird" is not. The beautiful firetail is a chubby little thing that comes with black rings around each eye, a red beak, and dark red tail feathers - dressed a little like the phantom of the opera, or Zorro, if you're feeling fanciful.