What is the name of the author who wrote “A Bird Calendar for Northern India”?
- Douglas Dewar
- John Gould
- Salim Ali
- Richard Meinertzhagen
Correct Answer: Douglas Dewar
Correct Answer Explanation: Douglas Dewar was a British ornithologist who authored “A Bird Calendar for Northern India,” providing a detailed account of bird life in the United Provinces and Punjab.
What is the most common reason that a crow might harass a bird of prey during its nest building season?
- The crow wants to steal the bird of prey’s food.
- The crow wants to steal the bird of prey’s nest material.
- The crow wants to drive the bird of prey away from the area.
- The crow is jealous of the bird of prey’s nest.
Correct Answer: The crow wants to drive the bird of prey away from the area.
Correct Answer Explanation: Crows often harass birds of prey, such as kites and white-eyed buzzards, during their nest-building season, likely as a means of territorial defense or to prevent competition for resources.
Which of these bird species would you most likely hear singing a sweet song in a cage in India?
- Black-headed bunting
- Sunbird
- Indian roller
- Amadavat
Correct Answer: Amadavat
Correct Answer Explanation: Amadavats are small, brightly colored finches with sweet songs, making them popular cage birds in India. They are known for their vibrant plumage and cheerful tunes.
What is the name of the seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to India?
- Monsoons
- Typhoons
- Trade winds
- Westerlies
Correct Answer: Monsoons
Correct Answer Explanation: Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to India, typically from June to September. These winds are crucial for agriculture and water resources in the region.
What is the name of the tree that is often used by kites and crows to build their nests?
- Pipal
- Sal
- Shesham
- Mango
Correct Answer: Pipal
Correct Answer Explanation: Kites and crows often choose Pipal trees (sacred fig trees) for their nests, perhaps due to the tree’s widespread presence, sturdy branches, or symbolic significance in Indian culture.
What is the maximum number of eggs that a Hoopoe can lay in a single clutch?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct Answer: 4
Correct Answer Explanation: Hoopoes typically lay four eggs in a clutch, with the female incubating them alone. These birds are known for their distinctive crested head and colorful plumage.
How many eggs does a common myna typically lay in a single clutch?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct Answer: 4
Correct Answer Explanation: Common mynas lay four blue eggs in a clutch. They are highly adaptable birds found throughout India and have a distinctive call that sounds like “Myna, myna.”
What is the approximate weight of a Black Vulture’s nest?
- 10 pounds
- 50 pounds
- 100 pounds
- 600 pounds
Correct Answer: 600 pounds
Correct Answer Explanation: Black vultures’ nests can be massive, with one nest recorded as weighing over eight maunds, which translates to approximately 600 pounds. This highlights the impressive size and strength of these birds.
What is the average length of the tunnel leading to a Pied Kingfisher’s nesting chamber?
- 1 foot
- 2 feet
- 3 feet
- 4 feet
Correct Answer: 3 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The tunnel leading to a Pied Kingfisher’s nesting chamber is typically over a yard long, about three feet. This tunnel is dug into sandbanks and is used to protect the nest from predators.
What is the name of the ornamental plumes or tufts of feathers that are often found on the head of some bird species?
- Aigrettes
- Churs
- Kachcha
- Mali
Correct Answer: Aigrettes
Correct Answer Explanation: Aigrettes are decorative feathers, often found on the head of some bird species like the rock horned-owl. They are prized for their beauty and have historically been used for decorative purposes.
What is the name of the spring crops that are sown in the winter months and harvested in the spring?
- Rabi
- Kharif
- Monsoon
- Autumn
Correct Answer: Rabi
Correct Answer Explanation: Rabi crops are those sown in the winter months (October to December) and harvested in the spring (March to May). These crops typically include wheat, barley, and lentils.
What is the approximate height that young wheat and barley shoots can reach by the end of January?
- 4 inches
- 8 inches
- 12 inches
- 16 inches
Correct Answer: 16 inches
Correct Answer Explanation: By the end of January, young wheat and barley shoots can grow to about 16 inches tall. This indicates the progress of these crops during the winter months in Northern India.
Which of these bird species is known for its unique and acrobatic flight pattern during courtship?
- Hoopoe
- Sunbird
- Coppersmith barbet
- Grey shrike
Correct Answer: Hoopoe
Correct Answer Explanation: Hoopoes are known for their distinctive flight patterns during courtship, performing twisting and turning maneuvers in the air, resembling a flycatcher chasing an insect.
What is the most likely reason that a pair of doves would rear seven or eight broods in a year?
- Doves are very good at finding food.
- Doves are very good at building nests.
- Doves have a small clutch size and can nest frequently.
- Doves have a long breeding season.
Correct Answer: Doves have a small clutch size and can nest frequently.
Correct Answer Explanation: Doves have a small clutch size (typically two eggs) and can nest frequently, allowing them to rear several broods in a year. This is a key factor in their successful breeding strategy.
Which of these bird species is known for its aggressive behavior and its tendency to steal prey from other birds?
- Pallas’s fishing eagle
- Tawny eagle
- Bonelli’s eagle
- Red-headed merlin
Correct Answer: Pallas’s fishing eagle
Correct Answer Explanation: Pallas’s fishing eagles are opportunistic predators and are known for robbing ospreys, kites, and marsh-harriers of their catch. They are bold and aggressive, demonstrating their dominance in the avian food chain.
What is the name of the durable hardwood tree that is common in the sub-Himalayan forests?
- Sal
- Pipal
- Shesham
- Mango
Correct Answer: Sal
Correct Answer Explanation: Sal trees are known for their durable hardwood and are a prominent species in the sub-Himalayan forests of India. They provide valuable timber and contribute to the biodiversity of the region.
What is the name of the valuable timber tree that is also known as Indian rosewood?
- Sal
- Pipal
- Shesham
- Mango
Correct Answer: Shesham
Correct Answer Explanation: Shesham trees, also known as Indian rosewood, are prized for their beautiful wood. They have delicate, feathery foliage and are often used for furniture and other decorative purposes.
What is the name of the artificially planted mango groves that are a common feature of the Indian landscape?
- Topes
- Churs
- Kachcha
- Mali
Correct Answer: Topes
Correct Answer Explanation: Topes are artificially planted mango groves, often found in rural areas of India. They provide shade, fruit, and a vital source of income for local communities.
Which of these bird species is known for its distinctive call that sounds like “did-he-do-it”?
- Red-wattled lapwing
- Indian roller
- Black-headed bunting
- Grey shrike
Correct Answer: Red-wattled lapwing
Correct Answer Explanation: The Red-wattled lapwing is a common bird in India and is known for its distinctive, repetitive call that sounds like “did-he-do-it.” It is a vigilant bird and is often seen foraging on the ground.
What is the name of the bird that is known for its mournful call that sounds like “Be thee cheery”?
- Wood-shrike
- Red-wattled lapwing
- Indian roller
- Black-headed bunting
Correct Answer: Wood-shrike
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wood-shrike is a migratory bird found in India and has a mournful call that sounds like “Be thee cheery.” This unique call adds to the diverse symphony of bird sounds in the Indian countryside.
What is the name of the bird species that often seal their nests with mud to make them difficult to locate?
- Nuthatches
- Sunbirds
- Coppersmiths
- Green barbets
Correct Answer: Nuthatches
Correct Answer Explanation: Nuthatches are small, active birds that use mud to seal the entrance to their nests, making them difficult for predators to access. This behavior helps protect their young from threats.
Which of these bird species is known for building unique pear-shaped nests?
- Sunbirds
- Nuthatches
- Coppersmiths
- Green barbets
Correct Answer: Sunbirds
Correct Answer Explanation: Sunbirds are skilled nest builders and are known for their pear-shaped nests, often made with a variety of materials like cobwebs, fibers, and even paper. These nests are often suspended from branches and provide a safe haven for their young.
Which of these bird species is most likely to be found near water sources, especially ornamental ponds, and is known for its preference for goldfish?
- Pied kingfisher
- White-breasted kingfisher
- Black-headed bunting
- Grey shrike
Correct Answer: Pied kingfisher
Correct Answer Explanation: Pied kingfishers are fish-eating birds and are often found near water sources, including ponds. They are known to prey on goldfish and can cause damage to ornamental ponds.
What is the approximate length of the tunnel leading to a White-breasted Kingfisher’s nesting chamber?
- 1 foot
- 2 feet
- 3 feet
- 4 feet
Correct Answer: 2 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: White-breasted kingfishers dig tunnels into banks to create their nests, with the tunnel leading to the nesting chamber typically about two feet long. These tunnels provide a protected space for raising their young.
Which of these bird species is known for its ability to tolerate human presence and often allows observers to approach closely while excavating their nests?
- Woodpeckers
- Coppersmiths
- Green barbets
- Nuthatches
Correct Answer: Woodpeckers
Correct Answer Explanation: Woodpeckers are known for their tolerance of human presence and often allow observers to approach closely while excavating their nests. This is because they focus intently on their task and are less concerned with human proximity.
What is the average clutch size of a Bulbul?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Correct Answer: 3
Correct Answer Explanation: Bulbuls typically lay three eggs in a clutch. They are common birds in India and are known for their melodious songs.
What is the average number of eggs laid by an Indian Wren-Warbler in a single clutch?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Correct Answer: 3
Correct Answer Explanation: Indian Wren-Warblers lay between three and four eggs in a clutch. They are tiny birds, and their nests are often hidden in dense vegetation.
What is the average number of eggs laid by a Grey Shrike in a single clutch?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct Answer: 4
Correct Answer Explanation: Grey Shrikes lay from four to six eggs in a clutch. They are known for their predatory habits and often perch on exposed branches while hunting.
What is the average number of eggs laid by a Bank Myna in a single clutch?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct Answer: 4
Correct Answer Explanation: Bank Myna lay between four and six eggs in a clutch. They are similar to Common Myna but have a white patch on their wings.
What is the average number of eggs laid by a Grey Hornbill in a single clutch?
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Correct Answer: 3
Correct Answer Explanation: Grey Hornbills typically lay three eggs in a clutch. They are known for their large size and distinctive bill, with a casque on top.
What is the average number of eggs laid by a Green Pigeon in a single clutch?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Correct Answer: 2
Correct Answer Explanation: Green Pigeons lay two white eggs in a clutch. They are known for their vibrant green plumage and are often seen feeding on fruits.
What is the average number of eggs laid by a Brown Rock-Chat in a single clutch?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct Answer: 4
Correct Answer Explanation: Brown Rock-Chats lay four pale blue eggs in a clutch. They are found in rocky areas and are known for their distinctive call.
What is the average number of eggs laid by a White-eye in a single clutch?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Correct Answer: 3
Correct Answer Explanation: White-eyes lay between three and four tiny pale blue eggs in a clutch. They are small, active birds with bright, white rings around their eyes.
What is the average number of Indian Cliff-Swallow nests that can be found in a single cluster?
- 20
- 50
- 100
- 200
Correct Answer: 200
Correct Answer Explanation: Indian Cliff-Swallows often build their nests in large clusters, with as many as two hundred nests observed in a single group. These nests are typically made from mud and are often attached to cliffs or buildings.
What is the approximate average temperature in the shade in Northern India during the month of January?
- 50° F
- 60° F
- 70° F
- 80° F
Correct Answer: 70° F
Correct Answer Explanation: Even in January, the sun’s rays can raise temperatures in Northern India to around 70° F in the shade during the day, except on cloudy days.
Which of these bird species is known for its short and rounded tail, distinguishing it from kites in flight?
- Tawny eagle
- Bonelli’s eagle
- Pallas’s fishing eagle
- Red-headed merlin
Correct Answer: Tawny eagle
Correct Answer Explanation: Tawny eagles have a short and rounded tail, while kites have long, forked tails. This difference in tail shape is a key feature for identifying these birds in flight.
What is the name of the loosely constructed walls or wells that are often made of unbaked materials in India?
- Aigrettes
- Churs
- Kachcha
- Mali
Correct Answer: Kachcha
Correct Answer Explanation: Kachcha is a term used to describe structures built with unbaked materials like mud or bricks, common in rural areas of India. It is often used for walls, wells, and other structures.
What is the name of the gardener, a common occupation in India?
- Aigrettes
- Churs
- Kachcha
- Mali
Correct Answer: Mali
Correct Answer Explanation: Mali is the Hindi word for a gardener, a common occupation in India, especially in urban areas where gardening and landscaping play a significant role.