Wild Child of the Avian Variety Quiz

Answer: Zebra finch

The zebra finch is found over much of Australia and is the most common finch on the continent. Its natural habitat is grassland and forest areas that are close to water. The bird has been introduced in other places and can be found now in Portugal, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United States.

In the wild the zebra finch can live up to five years but has been known to live 10-12 years in captivity.

Answer: Green-horned snake hawk

The snakebird is actually one of the names attributed to the Anhinga. Anhinga is a Tupi native name that literally translates as devil bird or snake bird. The snakebird is found in shallow water locations all over the Americas. It takes its name from the long neck that in the water looks like a snake about to attack.

The crested serpent eagle is a beautiful bird of prey that haunts the forest canopies of Asia. It takes its name from the regal crest on the head and the fact its main diet is snake.

The black-chested snake eagle is native to Southern Africa and lives on a varied terrain feeding on lizards, small mammals, frogs and of course snakes.

Answer: White-billed buffalo weaver

The white-billed buffalo weaver is found in the region south of the Saharan desert in Africa. The bird is a communal breeder often living in colonies that are haphazardly located in brush and small trees. The buffalo weaver is also a very loud and noisy bird renowned for its high pitched cackles, and squeaks.

Answer: Lizard buzzard

The lizard buzzard is a majestic bird that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It is often a solitary hunter and makes its nest in lofty perches atop trees or telegraph wires. In a typical clutch it will have one to three eggs. The bird is mostly grey with a vertical black line on the throat. The belly of the lizard buzzard is usually white with black wing tips.

Answer: Rhinoceros auklet

The rhinoceros auklet is also known as the horn-billed puffin and the unicorn puffin. Its most distinguished characteristic is a little horn-like projection from the beak that is only present in breeding adults. The bird is a fearless swimmer and has been found to dive to depths of almost 200 feet while holding its breath for over two minutes.

The migration and habitat range of the rhino auklet extends from California to Alaska and from Japan to South Korea.

Answer: Squirrel cuckoo

The squirrel cuckoo is found throughout the Americas from Northwest Mexico down to Argentina and Uruguay. It is also a resilient bird and has been found living at elevations over 8,000 feet. The most distinguishing feature of the squirrel cuckoo is its long tail feathers that can grow up to 50 cm long.

It is also know for its unique movements in the tree branches which generally consist of hurried jumps, hops, scurries, and short duration flaps. The squirrel cuckoo subsists from eating wasps, insects, spiders, caterpillars, and occasionally small lizards.

Answer: Fox sparrow

The fox sparrow is the name given to four species of sparrow in the genus passerella. The four species are the red fox sparrow, the sooty fox sparrow, slate-colored fox sparrow, and the thick-billed fox sparrow. The birds live off mainly insects and berries and are found throughout the North American continent.

Answer: Cow finch

There are actually five species of cowbird including the screaming cowbird, the bronzed cowbird, the giant cowbird, the shiny cowbird, and the brown-headed cowbird. These insect-feeding birds are generally found in the Americas and may take their name from their proclivity for feeding off insects that are stirred up by cattle.

The cattle egret is a heron that is a fixture in many tropical locations. It is generally a white bird that feeds on a diversity of insects, spiders, and small amphibians. The cattle tyrant is a small yellow bird found in many countries of South America.

Its feeding behavior is an example of mutualism as it feeds on parasitic organisms attached to cattle.

Answer: Green catbird

There are gray catbirds, black catbirds, green catbirds, spotted catbirds, tooth-billed catbirds, and even a white-eared catbird, but alas no blue, red, or yellow catbird. These birds are general small in stature and are so named because their vocalizations can resemble a cat meowing. This species of wildbird has been identified in America, Australia, and Africa.

Answer: Tufted titmouse

The tufted titmouse is a small songbird in the tit and chickadee family. It is indigenous to North America and has a fairly extensive range in the New World. The small bird is said to make a peter-peter-peter sound. The bird is so named for the little tuft that it has on its head. Not sure why it has the mouse moniker other than it is similarly colored and small like a mouse.