Q 01/05

DNA studies place falcons like the American kestrel closer to which birds than to hawks?

A) Hummingbirds

B) Parrots

C) Peacocks

D) Toucans

Answer · why

B) Parrots

Parrots and songbirds are the nearest living relatives of falcons. The hooked look that falcons share with eagles and other birds of prey says little ...

Q 02/05

Which light, invisible to humans, may let an American kestrel follow the urine trails that voles leave in grass?

A) Near-infrared

B) Polarized light

C) Radio waves

D) Ultraviolet

Answer · why

D) Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet light was the cue in a 1995 study, which found Eurasian kestrels drawn to vole scent marks. A 2013 study cast doubt, finding vole urine gi...

Q 03/05

Which tiny stinging insects join hawks, owls and rat snakes on the list of animals that prey on American kestrels?

A) Fire ants

B) Yellowjackets

C) Honey bees

D) Paper wasps

Answer · why

A) Fire ants

Fire ants are on the list of kestrel predators, alongside crows and corn snakes. Being one of the smallest birds of prey means often being the hunted ...

Q 04/05

One raptor conservation group says a small American kestrel weighs about the same as 34 of which US coins?

A) Quarters

B) Dimes

C) Pennies

D) Nickels

Answer · why

C) Pennies

Pennies make the point: 34 of them weigh about three ounces, the same as a small kestrel. Even the heaviest birds reach only about six ounces.

Q 05/05

American kestrels have been caught on live TV hunting moths drawn to the bright lights of which venues?

A) Drive-in theaters

B) Sports stadiums

C) County fairgrounds

D) Airport terminals

Answer · why

B) Sports stadiums

Sports stadiums give kestrels a night shift: the birds perch on light standards or foul poles and snatch insects out of the beams during evening games...