How Much Do You Know About Birds?

By: Becky
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Are you an amateur ornithologist? Do you know a lot about birds... or think you do? Take this quiz to put your money where your mouth is. How much do you really know about birds?

Birdie, birdie, in the sky. Why'd you do that in my eye?

There is a ton of stuff we know about birds. For instance, we know that the emperor penguin is the only bird to lay its eggs in the winter. They do this because winters are so harsh that the newly hatched penguins will need a full year to grow strong enough to be able to weather the extreme cold of the next winter. They need time to grow big and strong. Speaking of emperor penguins, they are also the bird able to stay under water the longest. They can remain submerged for almost twenty minutes without coming up for air. Other penguins, like the Gentoo penguin, are super fast swimmers, with recorded speeds of more than twenty miles per hour.

So, those are some cool facts about penguins, but how much do you think you know about other birds - wild and domestic? Take this How Stuff Works quiz to test your knowledge.

Let's get started.

What is the largest bird in the world?

The ostrich is the largest bird in the world. The ostrich is also the fastest bird on the ground.

Are birds warm-blooded or cold-blooded?

Birds are warm-blooded. They are not cold-blooded.

What is it about bird bones that helps them fly?

Bird bones are hollow. This helps them fly because their bones do not weigh much.

Scientists believe that birds evolved from what creatures?

Scientists believe that birds evolved from dinosaurs. Theropod dinosaurs had hollow bones.

Are birds dumb?

Birds are not dumb. In fact, some birds are so smart they are able to use tools.

What is the smallest bird in the world?

The bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world. The bee hummingbird is only about two inches long.

What type of bird is used to carry messages?

Homing pigeons are used to carry messages. They are specially bred to be able to find their way home.

How many chambers does a bird's heart have?

Bird hearts have four chambers. This is the same as a human.

Where are most bird species found?

Although it may seem like most birds live in New York City, most bird species actually live in tropical rainforests. In fact, as many as two-thirds of all bird species live in tropical rainforests.

What common organ do birds not have?

Birds do not have bladders. Their waste is mixed together and excreted at the same time.

Compared to humans, what organ is much larger in birds?

Compared to humans, birds have larger lungs. In humans, the lungs take up roughly five percent of the body; in birds, the lungs take up roughly 20% of the body.

What do owls swivel to help them see?

Owls swivel their necks completely around to see things behind them. This is because owls can't swivel their eyes.

What creature kills as many as 4 billion birds in the U.S. each year?

In the U.S., cats kill as many as four billion birds every year. So, yes, your fluffy cat really does want to go outside and bring back a bird for dinner.

What is the only bird that can fly backward?

The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backward. The bee hummingbird is only about two inches long.

What bird did coal miners use to check for dangerous gases?

Coal miners used canaries to check for dangerous gases. This is where the saying "canary in a coal mine" came from.

How much water can a pelican's beak hold?

A pelican's beak can hold up to 2.5 gallons of water. The pouch contracts to push out the water before the pelican swallows its prey.

Bird's legs bend backward at what part of the leg?

Bird's legs bend backward at the ankle. It looks like the knee, doesn't it?

What bird lays the biggest eggs?

The ostrich lays the biggest eggs. Ostrich eggs weigh as much as three pounds.

Which bird has the smallest number of feathers?

The hummingbird has only about 1,000 feathers. This is because its body is so small. Bigger birds have more feathers.

What bird lays its eggs in compost?

The malleefowl lays its eggs in compost. The heat from the compost helps keep the eggs warm.

What social bird may live in a nest with as many as 400 other birds?

Weaverbirds may live in huge nests with up to 400 other birds. The nests are so large that they can weigh up to several tons.

Why are flamingos pink?

Flamingos are not born pink. They turn pink because of the amount of beta carotene in their diets.

What is the heaviest bird of prey?

The Andean condor is the heaviest bird of prey. The Andean condor can weigh almost 30 pounds.

What wild bird lives the longest?

The wandering albatross can live up to 80 years. In general, the larger the bird, the longer it lives.

What bird lays the smallest eggs?

The bee hummingbird lays the smallest eggs. Bee hummingbird eggs weigh only 0.02 ounces.

What bird swims the fastest?

The Gentoo penguin can swim faster than 20 miles per hour. The Emperor penguin can stay underwater the longest.

What bird migrates the farthest?

The arctic tern migrates more than 25,000 miles every year. The tern migrates from the arctic to the antarctic every year.

What bird has the greatest wingspan?

The albatross has the greatest wingspan. The wings of an albatross can span almost 12 feet wide.

What bird can fly the highest?

The Griffon vulture can fly the highest. The Griffon vulture has been spotted at elevations of almost 7 miles.

What birds willingly take care of other birds' eggs?

Ostrich females willing tend other ostrich females' eggs. They are the only birds to do so.

What is the biggest bird to ever exist?

The elephant bird is the biggest bird to ever exist. It is extinct, but it is though to have weighed as much as 1,000 pounds.

Which bird lays its eggs in the winter?

The emperor penguin is the only bird to lay its eggs in the winter. The hatchlings need more time to grow strong enough to survive the next winter.

What bird can dive the fastest?

The peregrine falcon can dive at speeds of more than 180 mph. Their prey doesn't stand a chance.

What are the only birds to use echolocation, like bats?

The oilbird is the only bird to use echolocation, like bats. The oilbird is also the only nocturnal, fruit-eating bird.

What is a group of flamingos called?

A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. A group of crows is called a murder. A group of owls is called a parliament.

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