[steve_nova]

Well, thought that I would try my hand at some bird questions for anyone interested, pedants included

1. What are the only group of birds to have touch sensitive whiskers?

2. Which species of Grebe was first described as recently as 1974?

3. Which small genus of three species are the only group of birds to possess an iris that closes to a narrow vertical slit like a cat in bright light?

4. What Goose is the only species that has the ability to perch? (which it does frequently)

5. The Blue Duck and the Torrent Duck are both adapted to fast flowing streams and rivers. Where do they both occour?

6. Though birds as a rule don't generally have a good sense of smell, one group does, what are they?

7. How does Temminick's Tragopan (male bird) display to the female differ markedly from other Pheasant's and Peafowl?

8. Which group of birds are the Birds-of Paradise (perhaps surprisingly) quite closely related to?

9. Only two groups of birds are known to use echolocation for navigation in total darkness, name them.

10. Spix's Macaw is one of the smallest species, which is the largest?

11. Which species of Owl occours on every continent? (excluding Antarctica)

12. name the two different species of raptor that occour on every continent (excluding Antarctica)

13. What is the casque on the head of the Cassawary thought to be principally used for?

14. Only two species of bird are known to possess claws on their wings for all or part of their lives. The Hoatzin is one, what is the other? There is the possibility of a third one here also, but I will let you fight it out

15. Which species of large, flightless Rail added rats and mice to it's diet when they were introduced to it's homeland by man.

16. Most of the Heron family feed on fish, but the Hamerkop (though not entirely exluding fish) seeks mainly what?

17. Which African raptor has been known as "The Voice of Africa"

18. What is the name of the very rare, large and flightless Parrot, the male of which "booms" at night to attract the all too rare passing female?

19. What is the only Passerine bird to possess fully feathered legs and toes?

20. What were the two messengers of the Norse god Thor called, and what were they?

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Quite tricky Steve - these are the ones I can give a reasonable guess at. Plenty more for others to do.

1. What are the only group of birds to have touch sensitive whiskers?
Kiwi

2. Which species of Grebe was first described as recently as 1974?
Clark's Grebe

4. What Goose is the only species that has the ability to perch? (which it does frequently)
Magpie Goose

5. The Blue Duck and the Torrent Duck are both adapted to fast flowing streams and rivers. Where do they both occour?
South America (Andes)

6. Though birds as a rule don't generally have a good sense of smell, one group does, what are they?
Petrels

8. Which group of birds are the Birds-of Paradise (perhaps surprisingly) quite closely related to?
Crows

9. Only two groups of birds are known to use echolocation for navigation in total darkness, name them.
Swiftlets?
Oilbird?

10. Spix's Macaw is one of the smallest species, which is the largest?
Scarlet

11. Which species of Owl occours on every continent? (excluding Antarctica?
Barn Owl

12. name the two different species of raptor that occour on every continent (excluding Antarctica)
Osprey
Peregrine

[steve_nova]

Number five is a two part answer ie. two seperate places.

Sorry, didn't make that very clear!

[christineredgate]

Steve,too difficult for me,but seeing as you are on line did you keep the first attempt you did for me-Monty python type bird on a bike.
Christine.

[Michael Frankis]

1. What are the only group of birds to have touch sensitive whiskers?
Also Nightjars

2. Which species of Grebe was first described as recently as 1974?
Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi)

3. Which small genus of three species are the only group of birds to possess an iris that closes to a narrow vertical slit like a cat in bright light?

4. What Goose is the only species that has the ability to perch? (which it does frequently)
Define 'goose'! - no true goose (Anser, Branta) does so frequently. Greylag Geese have been known to nest in holes high up in trees.

5. The Blue Duck and the Torrent Duck are both adapted to fast flowing streams and rivers. Where do they both occour?
Torrent Duck - Andes; Blue Duck - New Zealand. Ditto on adaptation for Harlequin Duck (Iceland west to NE Siberia).

6. Though birds as a rule don't generally have a good sense of smell, one group does, what are they?
Storm-petrels, some other Petrels, and New World Vultures, all do

7. How does Temminick's Tragopan (male bird) display to the female differ markedly from other Pheasant's and Peafowl?

8. Which group of birds are the Birds-of Paradise (perhaps surprisingly) quite closely related to?
Crows

9. Only two groups of birds are known to use echolocation for navigation in total darkness, name them.
Oilbird; Swiftlets

10. Spix's Macaw is one of the smallest species, which is the largest?
Hyacinthine Macaw (but the largest parrot of all is the Kakapo)

11. Which species of Owl occours on every continent? (excluding Antarctica)
Barn Owl

12. name the two different species of raptor that occour on every continent (excluding Antarctica)
Peregrine Falcon, Osprey

13. What is the casque on the head of the Cassawary thought to be principally used for?
Bashing through dense vegetation

14. Only two species of bird are known to possess claws on their wings for all or part of their lives. The Hoatzin is one, what is the other? There is the possibility of a third one here also, but I will let you fight it out

15. Which species of large, flightless Rail added rats and mice to it's diet when they were introduced to it's homeland by man.
Weka

16. Most of the Heron family feed on fish, but the Hamerkop (though not entirely exluding fish) seeks mainly what?
Nest material. And secondarily, frogs. PS Hamerkop is in a family of its own, not the heron family

17. Which African raptor has been known as "The Voice of Africa"

18. What is the name of the very rare, large and flightless Parrot, the male of which "booms" at night to attract the all too rare passing female?
Kakapo

19. What is the only Passerine bird to possess fully feathered legs and toes?

20. What were the two messengers of the Norse god Thor called, and what were they?
Ravens; Hugin and Mugin (Thought & Wisdom). But they are Odin's messengers, not Thor's !!!

Michael

[steve_nova]

Ironic that the last question was trawled from my memory

[Michael Frankis]

Watch out Steve, the Gods will be very angry (I knew the correct answer, as they are MY Gods)

Of course, with suitable atonement . . . . perhaps an offering of a fresh sheep carcass for Hugin and Mugin . . .

[Joern Lehmhus]

I would answer as Michael,
except I did not know the answer to the grebe question;
but for question 17. Voice of Africa, I would go for Haliaetus vocifer (Schrei-Seeadler in german, forgot the English, maybe african fish eagle or african sea eagle?)

Joern

[erik]

1. What are the only group of birds to have touch sensitive whiskers?
Kiwibird
2. Which species of Grebe was first described as recently as 1974?
Little Grebe
3. Which small genus of three species are the only group of birds to possess an iris that closes to a narrow vertical slit like a cat in bright light?
no clue
4. What Goose is the only species that has the ability to perch? (which it does frequently)
Egyptian goose
5. The Blue Duck and the Torrent Duck are both adapted to fast flowing streams and rivers. Where do they both occour?
Asia
6. Though birds as a rule don't generally have a good sense of smell, one group does, what are they?
Kiwibird
7. How does Temminick's Tragopan (male bird) display to the female differ markedly from other Pheasant's and Peafowl?
no clue
8. Which group of birds are the Birds-of Paradise (perhaps surprisingly) quite closely related to?
sparrow?
9. Only two groups of birds are known to use echolocation for navigation in total darkness, name them.
owls, nightjars
10. Spix's Macaw is one of the smallest species, which is the largest?
Giant Albatross
11. Which species of Owl occours on every continent? (excluding Antarctica)
Great Eared Owl
12. name the two different species of raptor that occour on every continent (excluding Antarctica)
Buzzard, Hawk
13. What is the casque on the head of the Cassawary thought to be principally used for?
Digging
14. Only two species of bird are known to possess claws on their wings for all or part of their lives. The Hoatzin is one, what is the other? There is the possibility of a third one here also, but I will let you fight it out
no clue
15. Which species of large, flightless Rail added rats and mice to it's diet when they were introduced to it's homeland by man.
Crex Crex (Corn crake)
16. Most of the Heron family feed on fish, but the Hamerkop (though not entirely exluding fish) seeks mainly what?
frogs
17. Which African raptor has been known as "The Voice of Africa"
African Buzzard
18. What is the name of the very rare, large and flightless Parrot, the male of which "booms" at night to attract the all too rare passing female?
no clue
19. What is the only Passerine bird to possess fully feathered legs and toes?
no clue
20. What were the two messengers of the Norse god Thor called, and what were they?
they were raven, dont know their names anymore

[Michael Frankis]

Originally posted by steve_nova
4. What Goose is the only species that has the ability to perch? (which it does frequently)

Canada Goose . . . . here's the proof in the gallery:

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/...php?photo=3650



Michael

PS Erik, you're right with Kiwi having a good sense of smell, that's a 4th correct answer! (along with petrels, storm-petrels and new world vultures)

[erik]

I have also seen egyptian geese perching, or arent they officially geese?

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Erik,

Correct, Egyptian 'Geese' are not true geese, they are a species of shelduck

Michael

[janine13]

3. Which small genus of three species are the only group of birds to possess an iris that closes to a narrow vertical slit like a cat in bright light?

Skimmers

[steve_nova]

Well done Janine!

[steve_nova]

.....and well done Joern for the correct answer for the voice of Africa question!

[steve_nova]

Michael, I knew as soon as I had typed the last letter of the birds with a marked sense of smell question that there were more than just the New World "Vultures" but thought it prudent (stupid?) to just let it go and accept anyone with a relevant answer.

Answers coming soon (after I've had my tea!).

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Steve,

New World "Vultures" - maybe they ought to be re-named, 'Pseudostorks' or something . . . might start a new thread on that one . . .

I'll be interested to see the 'official' answer to the perching goose one

Michael

[steve_nova]

1. What are the only group of birds to have touch sensitive whiskers? Kiwi's & Nightjar's

2. Which species of Grebe was first described as recently as 1974? Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi)

3. Which small genus of three species are the only group of birds to possess an iris that closes to a narrow vertical slit like a cat in bright light? Skimmer's (Rynchops sp.)

4. What Goose is the only species that has the ability to perch? (which it does frequently) Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata) Perhaps this question should have read....Which member of the bird order Anseriformes, (Duck's Geese and Swans)...

5. The Blue Duck and the Torrent Duck are both adapted to fast flowing streams and rivers. Where do they both occour? New Zealand & the Andes respectively

6. Though birds as a rule don't generally have a good sense of smell, one group does, what are they? Yet another question with more than one possible answer! New World Vultures ~ Kiwi's ~ Petrel's & Storm Petrels

7. How does Temminick's Tragopan (male bird) display to the female differ markedly from other Pheasant's and Peafowl? Actually, any of the the five species which include Satyr, Western, Temminck's, Cabot's and Blyth's are remarkable because of the huge throat wattle of fantastically coloured skin that expands right down the chest of the bird. Other pheasant's and Peafowl rely principally on their feathers for their seductive dispalys.

8. Which group of birds are the Birds-of Paradise (perhaps surprisingly) quite closely related to? Crow's

9. Only two groups of birds are known to use echolocation for navigation in total darkness, name them. Cave Swiftlet's (Collocalia or Aerodramus) & the Oilbird (Steatornis
caripensis)

10. Spix's Macaw is one of the smallest species, which is the largest? Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

11. Which species of Owl occours on every continent? (excluding Antarctica) Barn Owl (Tyto alba as various races)

12. name the two different species of raptor that occour on every continent (excluding Antarctica) Osprey & Peregrine Falcon

13. What is the casque on the head of the Cassawary thought to be principally used for? Forcing it's way through dense brush, so protecting the skin

14. Only two species of bird are known to possess claws on their wings for all or part of their lives. The Hoatzin is one, what is the other? There is the possibility of a third one here also, but I will let you fight it out Ostrich ~ juvenile Rhea ~ and African Touraco. A tiny flightless Island Rail also posesses wing claws even as an adult making four possible correct answers (ecluding the Hoatzin) for this one.

15. Which species of large, flightless Rail added rats and mice to it's diet when they were introduced to it's homeland by man. Weka (Gallirallus australis)

16. Most of the Heron family feed on fish, but the Hamerkop (though not entirely exluding fish) seeks mainly what? Since been informed that this is not a member of the Heron family Mainly Amphibians

17. Which African raptor has been known as "The Voice of Africa" African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

18. What is the name of the very rare, large and flightless Parrot, the male of which "booms" at night to attract the all too rare passing female? Kakapo (Strigops habroptilis)

19. What is the only Passerine bird to possess fully feathered legs and toes? House Martin (Delichon urbica)

20. What were the two messengers of the Norse god Odin not Thor called, and what were they? Hugin & Mugin, Thought & Memory

[Joern Lehmhus]

Hi Steve
Well, if you change from perching goose to order Anseriformes you are bound to get lots of answers, for example mandarin, wood duck, the whistling ducks, even things like really fat domestic muscovy do that...
Concerning the tragopan question: that answer was what I thought of, but as you said Temmincks Tragopan and not all tragopans, I didnt answer that one.

Nevertheless, this was fun and interesting!

Thanks for giving it to us, Steve!

Joern

[birdman]

Missed the chance to have a go at these Steve, but if you are willing to put the effort in again, I'd love to have a crack next time!

[steve_nova]

Thanks Joern and Birdman, I will do another soon! I shall also be more astute so that less holes can be picked in them!!!