Those Cute Downy Hatchlings! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Crane

Did you know that cranes may mate for life when they are two or three years old? And, if they decide they don't like their first choice, they divorce! During breeding season it is typical to see cranes living in pairs. When they are not breeding they live in large groups called swoops. A crane will usually lay two eggs a season. Both parents take turns tending to the nest and taking care of the young, who stay with their parents until shortly before the next breeding season occurs.

If you are lucky enough to find baby birds in the wild, but sure to leave them alone! Their parents are probably nearby, and do not appreciate it when their nest is disturbed.

Answer: Dove

Interestingly, both sexes of the dove parents secrete what is called "crop milk" in order to feed their young squabs. Together they take care of their nest, which consists of one or two eggs. The young develop quickly, and leave the nest after 7-28 days.

Be sure to NOT get too close to a nest of baby birds in the wild! You could scare the babies, perhaps causing them too much stress. Likewise, do you best to keep children and pets away from the area.

Answer: Falcon

There are approximately twenty-six species of falcons. Did you know that their vision is about 2.6 times sharper than a human's? The female parent, which is called a falcon, lays 3-4 eggs at a time - the male is known as a tercel or tiercel. Both parents take care of the nest; one stays nearby while the other searches for food. Although it varies from species to species, some eyas begin to fly (becoming fledglings) when they are about six weeks old; their parents expect them to be able to find their own food by the time they are fifteen weeks old.

Even though falcon parents are protective of their young, the survival rate once the fledgling leaves the nest is low. About 70% of eyas are believed to survive the first weeks of their life; once they become fledglings, it is estimated that more than half die in the first year.

Answer: Puffin

Interestingly, both the male and female horned puffin work together to construct their nest, and after just one egg is laid the couple, which may be involved in a long-term relationship, work together to keep the egg safe, incubate it, and take care of their puffling. Pufflings like to eat fish, including herring.

Did you know that baby birds do NOT look very much like their parents? Many times the babies are dull-colored, spotted, or streaked; this is even true of the babies of brightly colored parents. This helps to serve as camouflage from animals that would prey on them until they can fly.

Answer: Grouse

Most species of grouse do not mate for life; the male puts on quite a courtship display, and then, about a week later, the female is left with a full nest of eggs - sometimes as many as twelve! Incubation may last for three or four weeks, but as soon as they hatch the cheepers leave the nest. Their mother may stay with them for a time, but they probably won't see their father again.

In many bird species the babies leave the nest quickly after hatching. It is the only way for them to learn how to use their wings and practice survival skills. Like the grouse mother, many parents stay nearby to help their young if needed.

Answer: Sandpiper

There are many species of sandpipers, and their breeding habits vary from species to species. Some mate for life, while other peeps may have male-only or female-only care. Typically three to four eggs are laid, and as soon as the young hatch, in most species they are precocial, which means they are already mobile, and can walk about and look for food on their own within a few hours.

Do you know that by migration time, many baby birds are on their own? It is necessary for them to rely on their instincts to find their way.

Answer: Swan

It is a well-known fact that many swans mate of life! This, of course, means that they will work together, building the nest and incubating their eggs. In fact, swans are very persistent when it comes to protecting their nest and their cygnets. It is typical for a female swan, or a pen, to lay somewhere between 3-8 eggs in the nest, which is called at clutch, at a time.

Even with a parent as protective as a pen, baby birds face much danger. Cats, snakes, and even other birds are known predators of young birds. If you put up a bird house, please try to make sure it is in as safe a place as possible.

Answer: Parrot

Parrot parents may mate for life; even if they join a larger flock they stay together for the nonbreeding season. Nevertheless, in most species it is the female who incubates the eggs, while the male will bring food back to the nest for her. In some species, the chicks may be altricial, which means they are completely helpless, needing their parents to care for them for quite some time after hatching. Also, rather than having feathers they may be covered in what is described as a very light down.

It is also very important to make sure that old nests are cleaned out of bird houses that you may keep in your yard. Likewise, if you feed the birds, it is important to keep your bird feeder clean.

Answer: Mallard

Ducks typically have one mate, but in some species the relationship usually lasts for just one breeding season, while in others it may be longer. Some species, like the mallard, will lay as many as a dozen eggs at a time. That's a lot of babies to watch! After hatching the ducklings are led to water; if for some reason a few of the eggs do not hatch, the nest is abandoned after the hatchlings are led to water. In addition, if a duckling cannot keep up due to some type of physical defect, the mother will leave it behind.

Many times it is possible to see people at a lake feeding ducks bread on a sunny day. Did you know that this is not good for them? The bread does not provide the proper nutrition for ducks. In addition, it may cause them to become more reliant on being fed by humans than they should be and less afraid of them as well.

Answer: Owl

In some species a male owl likes to stay in a particular territory and wait for females to find him - the females travel to find their mates. Obviously their relationship is not monogamous! Other species of owls, however, do mate for a longer period of time. In some species the females will lay as many as a dozen eggs, although the average number per nest is three to four. Because the eggs are laid over several days, each owlet hatches at a different time and is, therefore, a different size as they grow.

Did you know there are some terms for young birds that can be used interchangeably irregardless of the species? For example, a "hatchling" is a bird that is recently hatched, and the term "nestling" is used for one that cannot survive away from the nest. A "fledgling" is either getting ready to learn to fly (it has its flight feathers) or has left the nest and is still cared for and fed by its parents.