79 Birds Trivia Questions with Answers
79 public questions with answers, drawn from the well. How many can you answer?
Birds trivia spans remarkable adaptations, unusual behaviors, national symbols, and species from every continent. Questions range from the nocturnal South American oilbird—the only living species in the order Steatornithiformes—to New Zealand’s smallest endemic bird. You may also encounter the toxic hooded pitohui, the striking shoebill, and famous eagles chosen as national emblems.
With 79 questions, this hub suits birdwatchers, biology students, nature enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys science-focused quizzes. It also explores avian history, including the largest known eagle and the passenger pigeon, whose enormous flocks disappeared before its extinction in 1914. Use it for classroom review, a natural-history pub quiz, or a challenging game night round.
Which small bird is New Zealand's smallest endemic bird?
Answer
Rifleman
What is the common name of the New Guinea bird Pitohui dichrous?
Answer
Hooded pitohui
Which eagle is the national bird of Panama?
Answer
Harpy eagle
Which extinct bird was the largest eagle known to have existed?
Answer
Haast's eagle
Which extinct North American bird once formed flocks of billions before its 1914 extinction?
Answer
Passenger pigeon
Which parrot is the world's only flightless parrot?
Answer
Kakapo
Which bird has the scientific name Haliaeetus leucocephalus?
Answer
Bald eagle
Which bird family contains ducks, geese, and swans?
Answer
Anatidae
What is the common name of the bird species Cygnus olor?
Answer
Mute swan
What bird family includes crows, ravens, magpies, and jays?
Answer
Corvidae
Which penguin species breeds during the Antarctic winter?
Answer
Emperor penguin
Which bird is the official bird of Quebec, Canada?
Answer
Snowy owl
Which bird is the fastest running bird?
Answer
Ostrich
Which bird is known for its large, colorful bill?
Answer
Toucan
Which bird has a heart-shaped facial disc?
Answer
Barn owl
Which bird is the state bird of Texas?
Answer
Northern mockingbird
Which bird is known for its habit of stealing shiny objects?
Answer
Eurasian magpie
Which bird kills snakes by stamping on them with its long legs?
Answer
Secretary bird
Which bird is the largest land bird in North America?
Answer
California condor
What is the most numerous wild bird species in the world?
Answer
Red-billed quelea
Which bird is the fastest in level flight?
Answer
White-throated needletail
Which bird has the most feathers, with up to 25,000?
Answer
Tundra swan
Which brilliantly colored bird is the national bird of Guatemala?
Answer
Resplendent quetzal
Which goose species migrates over the Himalayan mountains?
Answer
Bar-headed goose
Which bird can climb down tree trunks headfirst?
Answer
Nuthatch
Which male bird builds a bower and decorates it with blue objects to attract mates?
Answer
Satin bowerbird
Which bird holds the record for the deepest dive of any bird?
Answer
Emperor penguin
Which bird uses a pouch under its beak to scoop up fish?
Answer
Pelican
Which bird is traditionally a symbol of peace?
Answer
Dove
Which bird is known for its pink color from eating shrimp?
Answer
Flamingo
What species is the ancestor of the domestic chicken?
Answer
Red junglefowl
Birds trivia — quick answers
What are good bird trivia questions?
Good bird trivia questions cover identification, anatomy, behavior, habitats, conservation, national symbols, and extinct species. Strong examples include questions about the oilbird, shoebill, hooded pitohui, passenger pigeon, and New Zealand’s smallest endemic bird.
How hard is bird trivia?
Bird trivia can range from accessible to highly specialized. Common species and national birds are suitable for casual players, while questions about taxonomic orders, extinct giants, endemic species, and scientific names are better suited to experienced birders or advanced quiz teams.
What is the oilbird?
The oilbird is a nocturnal, fruit-eating bird found mainly in northern South America and Trinidad. It is the only living species in the order Steatornithiformes. Oilbirds roost and nest in caves, and they use echolocation clicks to navigate in darkness, an unusual ability among birds.
What is the common name of Pitohui dichrous?
Pitohui dichrous is commonly called the hooded pitohui. Native to New Guinea, it is notable for containing batrachotoxins in its skin and feathers, toxins acquired through its diet. The species helped establish that some birds can be chemically defended and poisonous to handle or consume.
What was the passenger pigeon?
The passenger pigeon was an extinct North American bird that once traveled in immense flocks, reportedly numbering in the billions. Intensive hunting and habitat loss caused its rapid decline. The last confirmed individual, Martha, died in captivity at Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, marking the species’ extinction.