On Tonight's Menu - Roast Bird! Online Trivia | Entertainment

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Okay folks....we're in for a great night! I bet you can't guess the first bird to be roasted! In fact, well, I'm surprised it wasn't roasted, as all the myths and legends about this spectacular creature ....I'm sorry to have to report something so fantastic to you ...they say...well, they say it rose from the ashes! IF (and I say IF) we were to believe something so outrageous....what bird would we be roasting?

Answer: Phoenix

According to myth, but also mentioned in the Talmud, the Phoenix is bird that regenerates cyclically. A bit like Dr Who, it finds the source for its new life in the ashes of the one that went before.

Phoenix is the capital city of the US state of Arizona, depicted here.

2. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will but cast your eyes stage right, you will behold a wonder! Known for its cameo appearance in the 12 Days of Christmas...please welcome our seven feathered friends...native of Western Australia! (er...) Cygnus atratus? What on earth is their common name?

Answer: Black Swan

The black swans of Australia are vegetarian and mate for life. The Swan River, upon which Western Australia's capital city Perth is founded, was named 'Black Swan River' in 1697 by Willem De Vlamingh, because of the large flocks of black swans which inhabited the area.

The flag pictured is the official ensign of Western Australia.

3. Our next is quite the southern gentleman - and a tasty morsel, but don't let him hear me say that! I say, I say, tell me which bird has his debut in 'Walky Talky Hawky'?

Answer: Foghorn Leghorn

Walky Talky Hawky was released in August 1946, and young Henery Chicken Hawk decides to go after his first chicken. Barnyard Dawg has a hard time of it until Henery decides that he'll take home a horse, the dog and the rooster, as 'one of them must be a chicken'.

Foghorn Leghorn was based on Senator Calghorn, himself a fictional radio character. Leghorn fowls were introduced to the USA from Tuscany in the early 1800s.

The foghorn pictured, used to sound a warning to shipping of dangerous rocks or shoals, represents the character's loud, overbearing voice.

4. Now, kind audience, help me with this next! You're aware of the capacity of the Pelican, of course, because as one wit tells us... "He can hold in his beak - Enough food for a week!" Which Tennessee-born journalist gave us this gem?

Answer: Dixon Lanier Merritt

The pelican's name derives from the Ancient Greek word 'pelekys' meaning "axe", and was associated in Ancient Egypt with death and the afterlife. In more recent times, it has come to symbolise a self-sacrificing and caring parent. Various species are found across the world, with the brown pelican being the state bird of Louisiana.

This picture depicts the citation for the Legion of Merit bestowed upon Mihail of Rumania by Harry Truman.

5. Next, for your gastronomic pleasure....'UP'! You know what I mean, that movie, with the bird. The one called Kevin, who is befriended by Russell. (Almost seems a shame to eat him!) Anyway, what sort of bird...a very pleasant bird...are we roasting now?

Answer: Himalayan Monal pheasant

In the 2009 movie 'Up', Carl and Russell are in search of a giant bird (said in the movie to be a snipe and thought to be extinct) which is based on the Himalayan Monal pheasant. After a series of adventures they save Kevin and return him to his family.

The real Himalayan Monal pheasant reaches about 70 cm (about 28") in length and the male bird's plumage is truly spectacular, featuring blue, orange and purple iridescent feathers with a teal green head. The female is a non-descript brown.

The picture here is of the Himalayas and features the Kedarnath & Neelkanth peaks from Ukhimath.

6. You're a great audience! Now I imagine you're ready for the introduction of the pastry course. By all means! But before I bring forth our next tasty victim...er.. bird, answer me this: In the original version of the children's rhyme 'Sing a Song of Sixpence', something other than blackbirds was used for the filling of the 'pye' - what was it?

Answer: 24 naughty boys

In the mid 1700s, the poem had 24 naughty boys baked in the pie; but in an early version of political correctness, these were replaced in around 1790 by the blackbirds we know now.

Later, other verses replaced the one in which the unfortunate maid, who, while hanging out the washing, was bereft of her nose by the blackbirds. Being baked in a pie seems like fair retribution!

The picture shows some very bad lads menacing their school master.

7. You're way ahead of me folks! I know this next one is so easy...after all, the bird is a Snow Bird, and the little lady who sang it (and of course, her surname is the same as a major river that divides New South Wales and Victoria, in Australia) comes all the way from Canada! Who's next on our menu?

Answer: Anne Murray

Anne Murray recorded 'Snowbird' in 1969 (released in 1970) and was her first big hit. She was the first Canadian solo female artist ever to have a gold record. The song has been featured on several TV shows.

The Murray River is a major river that forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria; all the options listed are rivers found in Australia.

8. Now is the time for a little soulful reflection. Silence! I pray you, silence!! Tell me, if you can, who said "Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best"?

Answer: Henry Van Dyke

Henry Van Dyke, born in Pennsylvania in 1853, was a Presbyterian minister and pastored at the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. He wrote many influential books and was (among other things) the Murray Professor of English Literature at Princeton University, Ambassador to the Netherlands and Luxembourg and a U.S. Naval Reserve Chaplain. He had a compassionate view of humanity as reflected in the quote used in the question. He also had an abiding love for nature, which he saw through the prism of his love for God.

The picture is of fruit cut in the 'Van Dyke' style, named for the pointy beard of 17th-century Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck.

9. Next, we are whisked away to Drogheda, that fanciful sheep station of Colleen McCullough's 'The Thorn Birds'! Named after the original in Ireland, of course, tell me upon which continent are we now feasting?

Answer: Australia

'The Thorn Birds' is set in the early part of 20th century Australia and is about the generations of a family who run a sheep station in Australia's outback. It depicts humanity at its worst, and is replete with tragedy and treachery. The book's title alludes to a legendary thorn bird that seeks the perfect thorn on which to impale itself. As it dies, it sings for the only time in its life, more sweetly than any other bird.

The picture comes from a collection by Dr Mary Gillham and depicts the Australian outback.

10. Now, my attentive audience, we move to that moment of tragedy...love, impossible, thwarted! In the 1985 movie 'Ladyhawke', who played an old but wise monk named Imperius?

Answer: Leo McKern

'Ladyhawke' (1985) stars Matthew Broderick (Phillipe Gaston, a thief), Rutger Hauer (Captain Navarre), and Michelle Pfeiffer (Lady Isabeau d'Anjou) and tells the tale of cursed lovers who are unable to see each other except for a brief moment at twilight. The monk Imperius (Leo McKern), with the connivance of Gaston, aids Isabeau and Capt Navarre in their quest to break the curse.

The picture of the lion refers to the name Leo, one of the earliest recognised constellations, documented by the Mesopotamians.

Source: Author VegemiteKid

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

On Tonight's Menu - Roast Bird! Quiz

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the main event you've all been waiting for! Who doesn't love a good roast!? Tonight, for you delectation, a selection of fine birds! Let's hear it for your host!

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