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The Kestrel - Bird of Prey Trivia Quiz

The European Kestrel is an extremely beatiful bird of prey. This quiz is all about them. Good luck.

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

Author
miaow

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
80,010

Updated
Feb 09 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2119

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Kestrels can detect ultra violet light?

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the scientific name for a European Kestrel? Hint

Falco tinnunculus

Falco columbarius

Falco subbuteo

Falco peregrinus

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the size of a European kestrel? Hint

45 centimetres

30 centimetres

35 centimetres

26 centimetres

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Question 4 of 10

4. Are kestrels solitary?

Yes

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is the most noticeable difference between the male and female kestrel? Hint

The colour of their legs

The colour of their heads

The size of their beaks

The colour of their eyes

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the name of the famous film about a boy from Barnsley and his kestrel?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the early 1960s numbers of kestrels in the South of England dropped. What was the reason for this? Hint

They were shot for sport

Young kestrels fell out of their nests and did not survive

Cold weather meant eggs did not hatch

Pesticide use

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Question 8 of 10

8. True or false there is a species called the Lesser Kestrel?

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the call (or voice) of the European kestrel like? Hint

Cawcaw

Kee-kee-kee

It has no call or voice

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these could be the habitat of the kestrel? Hint

Open countryside

The edge of woodland

All of these

Cities

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Kestrels can detect ultra violet light?

Answer: True

Many species of bird of prey can see ultra violet light. It is helpful to them because small mammals such as voles mark their tracks with urine which reflects ultra violet light. This means that a kestrel can track them.

2. What is the scientific name for a European Kestrel?

Answer: Falco tinnunculus

The falco subbuteo is the hobby, the falco columbaris is the merlin, and the falco peregrinus is the peregrine falcon. As you would have guessed they are all related and are classified as falcons. The American kestrels' scientific name falco sparverius.

3. What is the size of a European kestrel?

Answer: 35 centimetres

European kestrels are afairly small for a bird of prey, but are not small for a falcon. Both hobbies and merlins are smaller.

4. Are kestrels solitary?

Answer: Yes

The kestrel is a solitary bird, but is sometimes seen in pairs during the breeding season.

5. What is the most noticeable difference between the male and female kestrel?

Answer: The colour of their heads

Males and females are a similar size, but the male's head is grey and the female is a chestnut colour all over. Other differences, although not so startling, are that the male has a grey tail and the markings on the male's back are weakly speckled.

6. What is the name of the famous film about a boy from Barnsley and his kestrel?

Answer: Kes

This British film was adapted from the novel 'A Kestrel for a Knave', written by Barry Hines. It starred Colin Welland and new boy David Bradley and was made in 1968. It is a real tearjerker, but a great, great film.

7. In the early 1960s numbers of kestrels in the South of England dropped. What was the reason for this?

Answer: Pesticide use

The use of pesticides meant that the small mammals on which the kestrels fed, such as mice and voles, were destroyed. With lack of food the kestrels died out. Bans on the likes of DDT helped and kestrels are now more common. They are still a beautiful sight no matter how often you see them.

8. True or false there is a species called the Lesser Kestrel?

Answer: True

Falco naumanni is the lesser kestrel, it is slightly smaller and much rarer. It is usually seen in places like Spain or Turkey.

9. What is the call (or voice) of the European kestrel like?

Answer: Kee-kee-kee

The kestrel does call and makes most noise whilst breeding. The young can be noisy when learning to fly and stretching their wings.

10. Which of these could be the habitat of the kestrel?

Answer: All of these

Kestrels are very adaptable. As long as it has a perch and lots of undergrowth nearby it will be happy. Its eggs would be laid either in a hole or on a ledge.

Source: Author miaow

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