Stop That Pigeon! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Figs

The scientific name for this species is Ptilinopus cinctus and it can be found in Indonesia and a small part of Australia's Northern Territory. Its habitat is described as monsoonal rainforest. Its preferred diet is figs, but it will eat any forest fruits. It is classed as a large bird and can weigh between 450 and 570 grammes.

Answer: Rock dove

The rock dove has established itself in many cities around the world and is the bird most people think of as a pigeon. The wood pigeon is Columba palumbus and is larger than the rock dove with distinctive white patches on its neck. The collared dove, or Streptopelia decaocto, has a pinkish grey body with a black and white band around its neck, which gives it its common name.

The passenger pigeon has become extinct.

Answer: Philippines

The bird is found primarily on the island of Luzon, which gives it its scientific name of Gallicolumba luzonica. The common name comes from the splash of red on the bird's breast which makes it look as if it has been injured and is bleeding profusely. They are predominantly ground dwelling birds, and fly into trees only to rest or nest.

Answer: Laughing dove

The laughing dove is a small bird with a long tail, with reddish brown feathers and red legs. In Africa, it is found in tropical areas south of the Sahara Desert and can also be found in the Middle East as well as south-east Asia and India. Some specimens have found their way to a small part of Western Australia, probably by stowing away on ships. I made up the other names, although there is a whistling dove, which lives in Fiji, and there are whooping cranes and whooping swans.

Answer: Turkey

The crowned pigeons are native to New Guinea, and belong to the Goura genus. They are named for the lacy crests on their heads. There are three main species, the western crowned-pigeon, the southern crowned-pigeon and the Victoria crowned-pigeon, named in honour of Queen Victoria.

Answer: True

The dodo, Raphus cucullatus, was native to Mauritius and was flightless, making it an easy prey for the humans who it had never seen before. The species survived for only around eighty years from its first discovery by men. It was believed to be a mythological species for many years, but evidence of its existence has been established from material found on the island, although no-one can be sure exactly what it looked like.

Answer: Homing pigeons

Homing pigeons have been bred from the rock pigeon to refine the birds' natural instinct to return to its home and partner. Birds have been trained to race over distances of up to 1000 km, with the winner being the one who returns in the shortest time. Homing pigeons have also been used extensively to take messages, when they were referred to as carrier pigeons.

They featured in both World Wars to carry messages which could not be entrusted to radio and several pigeons were honoured for their achievements.

In the UK, the medal awarded was the Dickin Medal with France giving the Croix de guerre to a pigeon named Cher Ami.

Answer: Diamond dove

The diamond dove, Geopelia cuneata, can be found in central, western and northern parts of Australia, with its favoured habitat being semi-arid areas near water. It is a small bird with orange eyes and bluish grey plumage. The wings have white spots. The sapphire dove can be found in South America, and the other two types don't exist.

Answer: Zebra

The zebra dove is also known as the barred ground dove, with both names reflecting the markings on its plumage. The bird feeds on seeds from weeds and grass although it will also eat insects. The Latin name of 'striata' translates as 'striped' which may have helped you to identify the correct answer.

Answer: Fancy pigeons

Fancy pigeons were originally rock pigeons, which have been bred and refined to meet standards of shape, colouration, size and appearance. Among the breeds used for show are Fantails, Jacobins and Frillbacks. Among well known pigeon fanciers can be counted Charles Darwin, although his interest was more for observation, Yul Brynner and Michael Landon.