Bird Quiz #5: DEADLINE January 2 (Malkolm's Birthday)
Ken knits "thrairs" of socks for his friends — and also for people who make extraordinary contributions to conservation. A thrair is 3 socks, and like birds, every sock is unique. For example, his socks have been presented to:
• then BC Premier Mike Harcourt upon the preservation of the Tatshenshini-Alsek
• then Prime Minister Cretien upon his announcement of new Canadian National Parks
• conservationists Elizabeth May (Sierra Club) & Monte Hummel (World Wildlife Fund)
Ken is now knitting thrairs of bird-theme socks for two birders who have made extraordinary efforts to promote birding and bird conservation: David Allen Sibley and Dick Cannings. This is a long preamble to Bird Quiz #5…
What bird is Ken attempting to represent in each of the socks in the first thrair? Photos of each sock will be displayed here as they are finished.
Quiz Sock #1 (Sock/bird photographed in Sequim, Washington). HINTS: The bird/sock is out of its usual range, and is a contender in Bird Year's Cutest Bird Contest. Sadly, it is also on Audubon's list of common birds that are declining.
Quiz Sock #2 (Sock/bird photographed near Arcata, California). HINT: The bird/sock is usually only seen on shore while nesting. This photo was taken while the bird/sock was taking a rare on-shore rest during its long migration, among the longest migrations of any socks.
Quiz Sock #3 (Sock/bird photographed at Patagonia Lake State Park while feeding). HINT: we don't think you need a hint since the sock/bird is diving head first into the water in search of a sock/fish.
The two winners are: Pam Baum of Tucson and Taldi Walter of Washington, DC. Each will eventually receive: a hand-knitted, bird-theme "thrair" of socks (after bird year is over, since Ken can't carry that much wool!).
Read on to see previous Bird Quizzes…
Bird Quiz #4
What bird will by Malkolm's 100th species? The closest guess wins (for example if you guess Emperor Penguin and that is his 102nd species, and no one is closer, then you win!)
We have a winner! Gina Loewen of Edmonton, Alberta guessed American Kestrel, which was Malkolm's 107th species and the closest guess. Thanks for all the guesses.
Bird Quiz #3 — ONCE AGAIN A YOUTH BIRDER KICKS RUMP!
It took three clues this time, but Halli MacDonald of Fredericton, New Brunswick correctly identified mystery bird #3 - Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Week 1 Clue (April 24)
feather detail of mystery bird.
Week 2 Clue (May 2)
This week's clue is a poem by Wendy…next week's clue might be easier, but don't wait, guess today!
I have a rufous patch on me,
I'm easy to hear, harder to see.
Week 3 Clue (May 10)
the mystery bird flies away.
Have a guess? Email us at birdyearinfo@yahoo.com.
BIRD QUIZ #2
Week 1 Clue (April 13 )
back of the bird (hint - it is not a Bald Eagle)
Hold your Mergansers! We have 2 winners after just one clue - John Morgan of San Diego correctly guessed Hooded Merganser and wins the prize! Halli MacDonald of Fredericton, New Brunswick's correct answer came in shortly after and also wins! We thought it would take more clues than one obscure photo (maybe our hint was too obvious).
BIRD QUIZ #1 (see below for the clues for our first bird quiz which was solved by Erica Heuer of Whitehorse, Yukon)
Week 1 Clue (Feb. 5)
part of the bird
Week 2 Clue (Feb. 12)
If birds were prone to skin cancer, this bird would need sunscreen more than any other bird.
Week 3 Clue (Feb. 19)
here I am before I'm old enough to migrate!
Week 4 Clue (Feb. 26)
Next year our mystery bird will migrate more than twice as far as we travel duing our Bird Year!
Week 5 Clue (March 5)
My beak is bright red in the summer.
Week 6 clue (March 12)
Our best chance to see this bird will be in the summer as we leave the Yukon - it usually stays offshore during migration and is seldom seen from land.
Erica's prize-winning answer for the mystery bird in Bird Quiz #1 is — the reigning World Migratory Champion — Arctic Tern!