Bird is the Word Quiz | Thematic Animals

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "A-well-a, everybody's heard about the bird Bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a, bird, bird, bird, the bird is the word... (and then) Papa-ooma-mow-mow, papa-ooma-mow-mow Papa-ooma-mow-mow, papa-ooma-mow-mow" This song, first released in 1963, saw renewed popularity when the animated comedy show "Family Guy" based an entire episode around it several decades later. What's the song's name?

Answer: Surfin' Bird

Released in 1963 by a group called The Trashmen, "Surfin' Bird" has been covered many times (by the Ramones, Silverchair and Pee-Wee Herman, among others) and has popped up in several films and television shows. The song is actually a combination of two '60s hits: "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and "The Bird's the Word", both by The Rivingtons.

Peter sang and danced to it repeatedly on the "I Dream of Jesus" episode of "Family Guy", driving his son Stewie and his dog Brian crazy.

2. Basketball player Larry Bird has been awarded every title and honor the game can bestow during his long career. His competitive nature, his clutch playing and his rivalry with Los Angeles Laker star Magic Johnson are legendary. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. For which team did Bird play?

Answer: Boston Celtics

Bird was nicknamed "The Hick from French Lick", after a town in Indiana, Bird's home state. He led the Celtic team to three NBA Championships, in 1981, 1984, and 1986. He was also a three-time Most Valuable Player in the NBA. Upon his retirement, he became coach of the Indiana Pacers, and led them to the NBA championship finals in 2000.

3. You're on the golf course, and have just scored one under par on an individual hole. What's the term for this accomplishment?

Answer: birdie

The term "birdie" is believed to have been coined during a game in New Jersey over 100 years ago. The story goes that three golfers were playing together when one hit his second shot only inches from the cup. Since his first shot had hit a bird in flight, the other two players immediately called the shot "a bird".

A short putt left the player one under par for the hole, and from that day on the three men referred to one under par as a "birdie". The term caught on.

4. "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on, now 'Cause there's too many places I've got to see" In 1973, the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd released this "bird" song on their debut album. It's said that concert-goers will shout out requests for it regardless of whose concert they're attending. Name that tune.

Answer: Free Bird

In 1977, at the height of their popularity, Lynyrd Skynyrd band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines were killed in a plane crash, while the others were seriously injured. Their road manager and the plane's pilot and co-pilot were killed as well. It was one of the most devastating losses in rock history, one of many fatal plane crashes involving rock musicians. Later the band re-formed with Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother as lead vocalist. After the crash, "Free Bird" was performed solely as an instrumental, with just a lone microphone in a single spotlight onstage. Finally, Johnny Van Zant was persuaded to sing "Free Bird", and has done so ever since.

The band's name is supposedly taken from the name of a junior high gym teacher they all disliked, Leonard Skinard.

5. This jazz musician was given the nickname "Yardbird", later shortened to "Bird". He was a brilliant saxophone player and composer who died early and became an icon for generations of jazz musicians and aficionados. Who was the musician they called "Bird"?

Answer: Charlie Parker

Charles Parker, Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1920 and died in 1955. He struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for much of his too-short life. He was an innovator, improviser and all-around musical genius. "Bird" was a stellar bebop artist and blues player who fused jazz with many different styles. He influenced an infinite number of musicians. "Anthropology", "Ornithology" and "Billie's Bounce" are just a few of Parker's compositions which have become jazz classics.

Clint Eastwood directed and produced a 1988 film called "Bird", starring Forest Whitaker as Parker, a tribute to Bird's life and music.

The jazz club Birdland in New York is named for Parker, and the beautiful song "Lullaby of Birdland" was written by the great George Shearing as a tribute to him.

6. "Hey, bird dog get away from my quail Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone Hey, bird dog get away from my chick Hey, bird dog you better get away quick Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own" This is the chorus of the popular 1958 song "Bird Dog". Who recorded it?

Answer: The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers, Phil and Don, were a rock and roll duo known for their close harmony singing and country-influenced sound. They enjoyed huge popularity and several number one records during the late '50s and early '60s. "Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up Little Susie" and "All I Have To Do is Dream" are but a few of their hits.

The Everly Brothers were among the very first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

7. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page are three all-time great rock guitarists who each got their start with this group, whose hits included "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul". Which group is it?

Answer: Yardbirds

The English rock band called the Yardbirds had several hits in the 1960s. They are remembered as important and influential pioneers in guitar innovation, as well as launching the careers of Clapton, Beck and Page. Upon the breakup of the Yardbirds, Jimmy Page formed Led Zeppelin in 1968.

8. The great movie actor Burt Lancaster starred in this 1963 film, based on the life of a convict named Robert Stroud. Stroud became an renowned expert on birds while serving time in solitary confinement. The title of the film refers to a notorious prison where Stroud was incarcerated. What's the title of the film?

Answer: Birdman of Alcatraz

Burt Lancaster was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stroud. Many people felt the film contained as much fiction as fact, since Stroud was by all accounts a vicious and unpleasant man. Robert Stroud was never allowed to see the film based on his life.

He had been sentenced to death by hanging for killing a prison guard, and was awaiting his execution in solitary confinement. While confined at Leavenworth Penitentiary, he began to keep sparrows and later canaries in his cell.

He became a respected expert on canaries and published two books about them. When his death sentence was commuted, he was transferred to Alcatraz Island and was no longer permitted to continue his ornithological activities.

9. Claudia Alta Taylor was married to the 36th president of the United States, and was better known by her nickname. Her cause was national beautification, and she was responsible for the limiting of billboards on roadways as well as the planting of millions of wildflowers. Who was the First Lady?

Answer: Lady Bird Johnson

Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson (1912-2007) was U.S. First Lady from 1963 to 1969, the tenure of her husband Lyndon Baines Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was an avid environmentalist, and the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 was a direct result of her national campaign.

In 1977, President Ford presented Lady Bird Johnson with the Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian award. She received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Reagan in 1988 as well.

10. Imagine huge, murderous groups of birds gathering together to dive-bomb schoolchildren and innocent ladies and peck their eyes out. This is the premise of "The Birds", a 1963 Alfred Hitchcock film based on a novella by Daphne du Maurier. As usual, Hitchcock's leading lady was an elegant blonde: what was her name?

Answer: Tippi Hedren

Tippi Hedren was a successful model in the '50s and '60s, appearing on magazine covers and in commercials when she was discovered by Alfred Hitchcock. He was looking for an actress to replace his favorite leading lady Grace Kelly, who had married a prince and retired from films. Hedren had some of the same aloof sex appeal as Kelly.

Rod Taylor and Suzanne Pleshette co-starred in "The Birds". There was never any explanation given for the birds' sudden vicious attacks on the inhabitants of the small town of Bodega Bay.

Source: Author robbieh

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Pagiedamon before going online.
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Bird is the Word Trivia Quiz

Here are ten questions having to do with the word "bird" in one way or another. Many thanks to kyleisalive for the quiz challenge.

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