ZO 501 Ornithology - Spring 2009
Question of the Week
A correct answer submitted to Shiloh Schulte before the answer is posted earns 1 extra credit point. A new question will be posted every Monday morning. Submit a question that is chosen as the question of the week and earn 2 extra credit points. Submit a question that is posted and remains unanswered for 1 week and receive 5 extra credit points.Week 15
It is early morning and you are walking along a wet forest trail in one of North Carolina's state parks. A bright flash of yellow catches your eye and this bird lands on a nearby branch. From up ahead you hear another bird call. The forest ends at the edge of a large marsh. You hear the call again and look up to see a large nest. You pause for a few moments to watch the adults feeding the young birds before continuing along the edge of the water. Out over the marsh several white birds whirl and hover over creeks and patches of open water. Just as you turn to head back, a flock of small brown birds skims past twittering quietly. Back at the park office you are about to get in your car when you see this striking bird perched up on a nearby shrub happily singing away.
What species did you see and hear today and what is the name of the State Park (there are at least two possible parks)?
Bird 1: Prothonotary Warbler, Bird 2: Osprey, Bird 3: Forster's Tern, Bird 4: Dunlin, Bird 5: Painted Bunting.
The park could be Huntington Beach State Park, Carolina Beach State Park, or Fort Fisher State Park.
Congrats to Shawna Buerkle, Nicholas Leonard, and Matt Pulliam for correct answers.
Week 14
Identify the three species to whom these nests belong:
The nests belong to (in order): Carolina Wren, Piping Plover, and Barn Swallow. Shawna Buerkle and April Alix submitted correct answers.
Week 13
Who am I? Thanks to Nick Leonard for the photo.
I am a Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), native to Australia. Liz Evans, Jessie Birckhead, Brad Carey, Shawna Buerkle, and Chris Coxen all had correct answers.
Week 12
How did a flock of birds once negatively impact one of England's national monuments? Thanks to Shawna Buerkle for suggesting this question.
Starlings used to be so common the sheer weight of them perched on one of Big Ben's arms once stopped the mechanism. Starlings have declined precipitously in many English cities in recent years. Congratulations to Chris Coxen for his correct answer.
Brad Carey found another answer that also fit this question. Trafalger Square used to be famous for its enormous flock of pigeons, once estimated to number 35,000 birds. Pigeon droppings damage stonework and the flock was considered by some to be a public health hazard. A ban on feeding pigeons and active control measures (trained falcons) have dramatically reduced the flock size.
Week 11
Identify the species that created each of the following structures:
The structures are bowers, created by four different species of bowerbird.
1 - Satin bowerbird, 2 - Vogelkop Bowerbird, 3 - Western or Spotted Bowerbird, 4 - Macgregor's Bowerbird.
Congratulations to Sara Marschhauser, Shawna Buerkle, Liz Evans, and Geoffrey Broadhead for correct answers
Week 10
What distinction is only shared by Bald Eagles and Pelicans? Hint #1: the answer is not related to their foraging habits or life history. Hint #2. Think cultural/symbolic use/portrayal. Thanks to Shawna Buerkle for suggesting the question.
Bald Eagles and Pelicans are the only birds portrayed on the US State Flags. Bald Eagles appear on the flags of New York, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Utah, Iowa, and Missouri. Bald Eagle feathers appear on the Oklahoma state flag as well. The Pelican appears on the Lousiana state flag. Congratulations to Ed Davis and Liz Evans for correct answers.
Week 9
Identify these birds:
Peregrine Falcon chicks on a nest ledge. Congratulations to Shawna Buerkle, Brad Carey, Geoffrey Broadhead, and Rose Roulette for correct answers.
Week 8
Many Common Ravens spend the winter in the forests of Canada and the northern US. Food is at a premium during this time. A dead deer or moose could feed a single raven for weeks. Interestingly, when a raven finds such a food bonanza it will often call loudly or even fly off and recruit other ravens to join in the feast. Why would a large bird with few predators voluntarily share such a valuable resource?
Dr. Bernd Heinrich studied this question at his field site in the Maine woods. He came to the conclusion that recruiting ravens are young birds that would be driven off carcasses by resident pairs. The young birds recruit a large enough group to overwhelm the residents. Gathering at feeding sites probably also serves social functions such as courtship and establishing dominance, as well as reducing risk to individuals within the group. Congratulations to Shawna Buerkle, Liz Evans, Geoffrey Broadhead, and Rose Roulette for correct answers.
Week 7
What record does this bird hold?
The Ruppell's Griffon Vulture holds the record for the highest recorded flight. One of these birds collided with a commercial aircraft at 11,277m (37,000ft) over West Africa. At this height human beings would die from lack of oxygen. Congratulations to Shawna Buerkle and Rose Roulette for correct answers.
Week 6
In the Everglades, alligators often form deep holes that fill up with water, creating what is commonly known as a 'gator hole'. Vegetation such as shrubs and trees often grow up around these holes as the edge of the hole is slightly higher in elevation than the surrounding landscape. Wading birds commonly form small colonies in the trees surrounding the holes. A major hazard of nesting right over alligator territory is that if your chick accidentally falls out of its nest, it may quickly become a snack for the alligator before it can climb back up to its nest. What ecological reason would make nesting at these sites so attractive despite the potential hazard of young getting eaten if they fall out?
Wading birds are attracted to gator holes as a reliable source of food during dry periods, which often coincide with the nesting season. Waders such as herons, egrets, storks, and ibis will often choose to nest directly over the water instead of just nearby because alligators serve as excellent protection from major nest predators like raccoons. Better to lose a few chicks here and there than have the colony wiped out in a matter of days, which raccoons are capable of doing. Congratulations to April Alix, and Jessie Birckhead, and Jeremy Remington for correct answers.
Week 5
Identify the species, behavior, and approximate geographic location of this bird
This Buff-breasted Sandpiper is waving his wings to show his white wing linings in a lekking display on the arctic tundra somewhere on the northern coast of North America. Congratulations to Rose Roulette, Ed Davis, and Jessie Birckhead for correct answers.
Week 4
Identify all four species in this photo.
Answer: From top to bottom: American Oystercatcher, Black-bellied Plover (winter plumage), Gull-billed Tern (winter plumage), and Short-billed Dowitcher. Congratulations to Shawna Buerkle and Rose Roulette for correct answers.
Week 3
Click the link, choose "Open with Powerpoint" and Identify all three singing bird species. If the slide show does not begin automatically you can start the show manually under the "slideshow" menu.
The birds are (in order of appearance): Wood Thrush, Tufted Titmouse, Northern Cardinal. Congratulations to Matthew Owen, Billy Paugh, and Ed Davis for correct answers.
Week 2
This species will periodically double or even triple the number of eggs in a clutch. What is the normal clutch size for this species and what triggers the occasional increase in the number of eggs laid?
The Boreal Owl usually lays 3-6 eggs in a clutch, but may lay 10 or more in years with high food abundance. Voles are the primary food source through much of their range. Vole populations go through regular boom/bust cycles and Boreal Owls have evolved a flexible clutch size to take advantage of this variable resource. Congratulations to Shawna Buerkle, Brad Carey, Geoffrey Broadhead, and Rose Roulette for correct answers.
Photo by Peter Keller
Week 1
This small bird is currently irrupting into western and central North Carolina. Normally found in more northern latitudes, this species and several of its relatives will invade warmer climates in poor food years. Identify the species.
Answer: Pine Siskin. Pine Siskins and other nomadic finches such as redpolls and crossbills will periodically move out of their normal range in the northern boreal forest and "irrupt" into southern states, presumably in response to low food resources. Pine Siskins are the same size, and look very much like winter plumaged goldfinches except for the streaking on the body feathers. Congratulations to Shawna Buerkle and Nick Leonard for the correct ID.
