How Many Little Brown Birds Can You Identify?

By: Solomiia S.
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Many Little Brown Birds Can You Identify?
Image: א (Aleph) via Wikimedia Commons

About This Quiz

There are a lot of fabulous and magnificent birds in the world. Some of them have amazing tails, some can sing the most pleasant melodies you have ever heard, and some are little brown birds. With their ability to compose breathtaking songs, birds bring us happiness and relaxation.

Without a doubt, little brown birds are some of the more exquisite creatures on our big beautiful planet. Birds are our most vital connection to nature. Every day we love to listen to them, watch them, wear their feathers, even whistle with them. Little brown birds have much to teach us about our world. Birds play an important role in plant reproduction and indicate a change of seasons. You may see them flying in the backyard and at the park, but can you identify their species' names?

Do you wonder what birds you're seeing whenever glance outside at your backyard? Can you tell a house finch from a northern cardinal? Here's a quiz that will help you dive into the world of little brown birds. Take it to see how well you can identify birds, including some that you might have seen walking in a garden.

AmericanTreeSparrow
Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
What is this little brown bird, known to frequent bird feeders, called?
American tree sparrow
Black-capped chickadee
Junco
House finch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can find American Tree Sparrows in weedy fields, near swamps or forests, and even in your backyard. Also, flocks of them are seen in Canada in summer.

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Tufted_Titmouse
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren via Wikimedia Commons
What is the correct name of this bird, which eats insects?
Sparrow
Tufted titmouse
Northern cardinal
Red-winged blackbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is no connection between the name of the bird to rodents. In the past, "mouse" used to be what small birds were called.

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DarkEyed Junco
Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
This bird, found on forest floors, is know by the name of:
Dark-eyed junco
Violaceous euphonia
Great rosefinch
Goldcrest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dark-eyed junco is the eastern version of the junco, a winter visitor all of the United States. It is seen in forests as well as in high mountains.

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BlackCapped Chickadee
Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this cute, curious bird seen in this image?
Red-breasted nuthatch
House finch
Black-capped chickadee
Great sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This bird is a popular feeder visitor; it grabs a seed and carries it off to eat on a more sheltered branch. Some chickadees stay in the same flock all season, but some of them switch and join another one.

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Red-breasted nuthatch
Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
This little bird uses resin to keep out predators. What is it's name?
Red-breasted nuthatch
House wren
Cowbird
Eurasian tree sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The red-breasted nuthatch belongs to the kind of birds that likes to cache food. By the way, it is one of the more acrobatic birds due to its preference for being upside down.

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Black striped sparrow
Kathy & sam via Wikimedia Commons
What is this little brown bird called?
Northern cardinal
House finch
Black-striped sparrow
Western bluebird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sparrows are the most familiar of all wild birds in the world. They were identified even in ancient Egypt. The symbol of a sparrow was used to indicate the concept of "bad" or "little." It didn't have phonetic value.

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House_Finch
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren via Wikimedia Commons
Can you pick out the correct name of this bird?
House finch
Violaceous euphonia
Cactus wren
Northern flicker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

House finches are the most popular visitor to feeders. They are found in urban areas and suburbs throughout the United States. Male house finches have a dollop of red on their faces, and females are all brown.

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Northern_Cardinal_Female
Ken Thomas via Wikimedia Commons
This bird known by which of these names?
Northern cardinal
House wren
Eurasian tree sparrow
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Northern cardinal is the official state bird of seven states of America. One of the most popular birds is found in the East, from city parks and urban areas to forests. By the way, all brilliant red Cardinals are males.

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RedWinged Blackbird
Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
Red-winged blackbird
House wren
Eurasian tree sparrow
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Red-winged blackbirds are generally birds of open habitats, including freshwater marsh, brushy swamps, and weedy fields. It seems these birds have already sung their beautiful melodies in every marsh of our country.

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Western Bluebird
Andrew Johnson via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this little bird, weighing about an ounce?
Cape sparrow (male)
Cape sparrow (female)
Great sparrow
Western bluebird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Generally, the female western bluebird lays about five eggs, sometimes from three to eight. Juvenile birds need two or three weeks to learn how to fly.

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Great Sparrow
Derek Keats via Wikimedia Commons
This little brown bird goes by what name?
Great sparrow
Cape sparrow (male)
Black-winged snowfinch
Great rosefinch (male)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the largest sparrows is found in dry savanna, frequenting trees in southern Africa. They are not associated with human. The male has blue-grey crown and nape.

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Cape Sparrows
Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons
What is the correct name of this little brown bird?
Cape sparrow
Common sparrow
Black-winged snowfinch
White-winged snowfinch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It belongs to a medium-sized sparrow. Locally common to uncommon in South Africa, Cape sparrow has mostly brown or grey plumage, and the male has bold black and white markings on its head.

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Song Sparrow
Becky Matsubara via Wikimedia Commons
This bird is found in the U.S. and central Mexico. What is it known as?
Black-winged snowfinch
Violaceous euphonia (juvenile)
Cactus wren
Song sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Generally, juveniles leave the nest about 10-12 days after hatching but remain with their parents about another three weeks. Both parents feed the nestlings with more plant food than animal food.

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Snowfinch
soumyajit nandy via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
Black-winged snowfinch
Brown creeper
Chiffchaff
White-throated sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Black-winged snowfinch is a species of bird in the Passeridae family. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical climate. The bird is a resident in Nepal, China, and India.

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Rosefinch
Pkspks via Wikimedia Commons
This bird is known by which name?
Sparrow
Great rosefinch
Violaceous euphonia
Goldcrest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Has a full-breasted appearance both on ground and in flight, and also long wings and tail. It is usually found in rocky screes or slopes and plateaux above tree line.

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Euphonia_violacea
David J. Stang via Wikimedia Commons
Original from in Southern America, what is this bird called?
Violaceous euphonia
Northern flicker
Cactus wren
Goldcrest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Violaceous euphonia eats mainly plant food and only rarely takes animal food. This social bird is a resident from Southen America. Usually, they built their nests on a tree stump.

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Cactus wren
Emily Willoughby via Wikimedia Commons
What is the correct name of this little brown bird?
Goldcrest
Cactus wren
Northern flicker
Yellow-browed warbler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This fabulous bird builds its nest in cactus, and this fact provides some protection for the juvenile. The male start building the next nest, while the female is incubating on a clutch of already existing eggs.

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Goldcrest
Francis C. Franklin via Wikimedia Commons
What is this bird known as?
Goldcrest
Brown creeper
Chiffchaff
White-crowned sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Maybe the smallest breeding bird species in Ireland, the goldcrest is very active, and it can be difficult to get a good view of. They prefer to visit garden bird tables in very cold weather but also searching for insects in vegetation.

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Northern_Flicker
DickDaniels via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
Northern flicker
Violaceous euphonia
White-cheeked starling
Black-cheeked starling
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Usually, intergrade birds have a mixture of the plumage marking, and residents have a whisker stripe and brown crown. Their main food source is ants.

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White-cheeked_Starling
Laitche via Wikimedia Commons
This little bird goes by which name?
Yellow-browed wWarbler
White-cheeked starling
Northern flicker
European robin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a body size between that of a pigeon and a sparrow, the white-cheeked starlings belong to medium-sized birds. During the spring and summer they eat insects, but when it comes to the fall and winter, they prefer nuts and seeds.

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Yellow-browed Warbler
E.HOBA via Wikimedia Commons
What is this little brown bird called that breeds in Siberia?
Yellow-browed warbler
Purple finch
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Harris's sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Yellow-browed warbler can be seen in coastal trees and scrub on the east and south-west coast of England from September to November. During a very cold winter, only a few individuals attempt to stay in this country.

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Willow Warbler
Mike Prince via Wikimedia Commons
What is the correct name of this little brown bird?
European robin
Willow warbler
Lesser redpoll
Goldcrest adult
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As befits a long-distance migrant, the willow warbler has a long and rather pointed wing. They have a ‘green-and-white’ plumage in spring, with autumn young individuals being very yellow below.

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European_robin
Charles J Sharp via WIkimedia Commons
Part of the Old World Flycatchers, what is this bird is called?
European robin
Lesser redpoll
Chiffchaff
Brown creeper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The European robin is the UK's favorite bird; with its red breast, it is familiar especially at New Year! Spotted with golden brown, juvenile individuals don't have a red breast. By the way, they sing nearly all year round.

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Lesser Redpoll
Ron Knight via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
Lesser redpoll
White-throated sparrow
Black-throated sparrow
Harris's sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is very easy to identify the Lesser Redpoll - it has a very streaky brown finch, a red forehead and a small black bib. Feeding on seeds and invertebrates in tall trees, they can be seen in wet woodland and birch scrub.

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Ruby-crowned_Kinglet
Becky Matsubara via Wikimedia Commons
This tiny bird can lay 12 eggs at once; what's it called?
Goldcrest
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Brown creeper
Chiffchaff
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The ruby-crowned kinglets are very small birds. The best way to identify them is by their fast flitting wings. Even though it seems like they would need a lot of calories, they only burn 10 a day.

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Firecrest
Andrew Moon via Wikimedia Commons
What is this bird known as?
Firecrest
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Purple finch
Cowbird
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Firecrests are exclusively insectivorous, preying on small arthropods, such as spiders. They also feed on the cocoons and eggs of insects and spiders. By the way, the common firecrest is monogamous.

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Chiffchaff
Andreas Trepte
Which of these is the correct name of this little brown bird?
Brown creeper
Purple finch
White-crowned sparrow
Chiffchaff
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chiffchaff got its name from its song in which it repeats its name. This small bird that mostly green in color, but it can vary from brown to grey. Being short distance migrants, a lot of Chiffchaffs fly to West Africa in winter.

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Brown_Creeper
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren via Wikimedia Commons
Fond of peanut butter, what is this bird known as?
Brown creeper
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Purple finch
Harris's sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brown creepers are non-migratory and prefer to live in high altitude forests, but in winter they descend to lower altitudes. Nesting can begin in autumn and extend through to early spring.

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White-throated Sparrow
Cephas via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
White-throated sparrow
Cowbird
Cassin's finch (male)
Cassin's finch (female)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a cute appearance, white-throated sparrows can be found on the ground in forests and at brushy edges. Usually, they forage in large flocks in winter. These birds also like to make themselves easier to find by singing their whistled and recognizable song.

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White-crowned-Sparrow
Wolfgang Wander via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this little brown bird?
White-crowned sparrow
Rose-breasted grosbeak (female)
Rose-breasted grosbeak (male)
Purple finch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The white-crowned sparrow is known for its tuneful singing. Usually, most of the singing is made by the male. The female's melodies are a little bit quieter and variable than male’s songs.

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Rose-breasted_Grosbeak
dfaulder via Wikimedia Commons
This bird is known for building flimsy nests; what's its name?
Purple finch
Harris's sparrow
House wren
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rose-breasted grosbeaks use their stout bills to eat fruits, insects, and seeds. These broad-chested birds also frequent fruiting trees during migration to Central America.

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Purple_Finch
Sharon Mollerus via Wikimedia Commons
What is the correct name of this bird?
Purple finch
Eurasian tree sparrow
Cassin's finch (female)
Cassin's finch (male)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mixing with a brown back and a white spot on its belly, the male purple finch has a pink-red head and breast. Female individuals have no red color, but they are painted with strong facial markings including a dark line next to the throat.

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Harris's_Sparrow
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren via Wikimedia Commons
This bird is known as which?
Harris's sparrow
House wren
Cowbird (female)
Cowbird (male)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This North America's largest sparrow settles in the south-central Great Plains in winter. It is the only songbird in the world that breeds in Canada and nowhere else. They prefer to live in open areas, such as urban regions and farmlands, rather than in forests.

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Eurasian_tree_sparrow
Laitche
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
House wren
Eurasian tree sparrow
Chipping sparrow
Carolina wren
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a white cheek and black ear, the Eurasian tree sparrow can be seen in large groups except during breeding season. Generally, it is a seed-eater, preferring smaller seeds of low grasses or herbs, including cereals.

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House_Wren_(8732643561)
CheepShot via Wikimedia Commons
What is the name of this little brown bird?
House wren
Cowbird (female)
Cowbird (male)
Sparrow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a flat head and long, curved beak, the house wren often keeps its tail either above the line of the body or drooped. Small and compact, this bird prefers open forests, scattered glass areas, backyards, and city parks.

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Bronzed_Cowbird
TonyCastro
The name of this bird is which of the following?
Cowbird
Chipping sparrow
Carolina wren
Cassin's finch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The female cowbird is a brood parasite - it searches for female birds of other species that are actively laying eggs. Then the cowbird sneaks onto the resident's nest and replaces one egg with one of her own.

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Chipping_Sparrow
Michel Rathwell via Wikimedia Commons
What is the correct name of this little brown bird?
Wren
Grosbeak
Chipping sparrow
Finch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With a fairly long tail and black line through the eye, the chipping sparrow has a medium-sized bill that is a bit small for a sparrow. By the way, a great method in mastering bird identification is learning the shape of this classic Spizella Sparrow.

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Carolina_Wren
Manjith Kainickara via Wikimedia Commons
This bird is called which of the following?
Song sparrow
Carolina wren
Common sparrow
Firecrest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These small, active insectivores are regularly in search of food to satisfy their high metabolic rate. Carolina wrens may struggle to survive in cold and rough winters. Backyards, city parks and farmyards are perfect for them.

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Cassin's_Finch_(male)
http://www.naturespicsonline.com/ via Wikimedia Commons
Which of these birds is seen in the image?
Cassin's finch
Wren
Common sparrow
European robin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Living in evergreen forests in the mountains makes these birds move to lower elevations in winter. Cassin’s finches eat mainly plant food, such as seeds of pines and buds of quaking aspen.

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Black_and_Brown_Rosy_Finches
Christopher Taylor via Wikimedia Commons
This bird likes to roost in caves and rafter, what is its name?
European robin
Black rosy finch
Lesser redpoll
Goldcrest adult
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in the western region of the United States, rosy finches travel long ways to find their food. They can then place their food in a pouch in their mouth and carry it back to their nest.

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You Got:
/40
א (Aleph) via Wikimedia Commons