For the Birds Trivia Quiz

Answer: loon

It is not entirely clear which came first, "loon" meaning the common aquatic bird or "loon" meaning a crazy person, but it seems clear they are related in origin. For the bird the reputation is unfair, stemming from the clumsy, erratic way they move on land. By contrast, they are graceful swimmers and move in a sleek and dignified manner on the water.

Answer: wren

Wrens have wide distribution across the Americas, Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Species are numerous and varied widely in coloration. Most of them are small, and sing quite boisterously and often in complex arrangements.

Answer: quail

Divided into Old World and New World quail, though they are classified into two different biological families, these two groups have similar characteristics and general behaviors. For instance, most species are capable of short bursts of flight and a few even migrate seasonally by air but generally they are ground birds.

The plural form of the word is a bit muddy as both "quail" and "quails" are accepted.

Answer: heron

Herons are distributed around most of the world excepting extreme cold and the driest deserts. Though Cindy in our example from the question is going to see them in the marsh they can be found around any body of water except deep oceans.

Answer: dove

Doves have long been a symbol of peace, to really drive the point home they are sometimes shown carrying an olive branch (another well known peace symbol).

Answer: stork

For parents not wanting to discuss with small children the specifics of where babies come from, the myth of the stork bringing a new baby was ... er ... born. The exact origin of the myth is uncertain but it popped up in Europe, North Africa, the rest of the Mediterranean and North America at roughly the same time.

Answer: owl

Most owls come out in the dark or at twilight to hunt various prey under cover of darkness, giving them a somewhat spooky reputation. Different species make a variety of distinct calls but most of these calls can fairly be described as hoot-like.

Answer: tern

Terns look and behave a lot like sea gulls. This includes congregating in large flocks on the seashore. They are smaller than most gulls and though predominantly colored white, they can also be distinguished from most gulls by a black top on their head.

Answer: crane

Another large waterbird, cranes are distributed on all continents except Antarctica and South America. They are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, adjusting their diet to what is available locally. Cranes, like many of their largest relatives, are taxed by human expansion and most of the 15 species are at least threatened if not endangered.

Answer: crow

Many different species of crows are known for scavenging objects of all sorts. They are extremely intelligent and the utility potential for their loot is usually fairly obvious, but sometimes it seems like they are just playing when they take small toys, shiny bits of glass or other odds and ends that have limited practical use.