Birding

Avian Quiz – Feb 4, 2011

February 4, 2011 by Jory 4 Comments

A bit of history … the idea for this quiz started a few years ago when Corey, Mike, Will and I participated in the annual Muckrace, held in upstate New York.  While having breakfast, the day after the race, I started browsing through Mike’s various field guides.  Having some fun, I started reading sentences or parts of sentences to see if these seasoned birders could guess the species based on the clues.  It became a birder’s version of “Name That Tune”.  I can identify that bird in three notes!

And so today’s quiz follows that format.  Here are six clues, each clue is an exact quote out of a different field guide.  Your objective is give one or two identification clues that you use when identifying this species.  Let others have some fun, so please don’t ID the species.

1. No subspecies recognized.

2. Perhaps one of the most delightful birds …

3. Medium to long distance migrant.

4. Black wrist.

5. In flight, it shows the broadest white wingbar of any calidrid.

6. Doesn’t like to get its belly wet.

Good luck!

Written by Jory
Jory's first field guide-identified bird was a Northern Cardinal. This turned out to be his gateway drug into birding. In 2007 Jory became the least accomplished birder to see 300 birds in New York State in one year. He has birded the world over but maintains his birding "beginner mind", of which he is inordinately proud. Just ask him. Jory is the 10,000 Birds Avian Quizmaster, coming up with ever more diabolical ways to stump his legion of devoted fans. He lives with his wife and the possessions of his children just outside of Albany NY.