And the winner is...

For those who forgot about my little contest from last month, the winner was Chet G. from Evanston, IL. Thanks to everyone who participated! Here are the answers.

1. Which bird was once known as Coues' Flycatcher?
Answer: Greater Pewee

2. If I told you that I saw a Blue Grouse in Colorado in 2005, what would that species be called today?
Answer: Dusky Grouse

3. Match these birds to their current names:

a. Duck Hawk (Peregrine Falcon)
b. Sparrow Hawk (American Kestrel)
c. Pigeon Hawk (Merlin)
d. Marsh Hawk (Northern Harrier)

4. What famous ornithologist once had a captive Ivory-billed Woodpecker wreak havoc on his hotel room?
Answer: Alexander Wilson (story here)

A Contest!

While at the scary library book sale the other day, I picked up an extra copy of one of my favorite birding books: Jack Connor's The Complete Birder. Now, I offer it to you my humble readers. But first, you must pass several trials. Send me the answers to the questions below via email (pbelardo _AT_ yahoo.com) by Wednesday, November 21. I will choose a winner randomly from those who get the correct answers.

1. Which bird was once known as Coues' Flycatcher?

2. If I told you that I saw a Blue Grouse in Colorado in 2005, what would that species be called today?

3. Match these birds to their current names:

a. Duck Hawk
b. Sparrow Hawk
c. Pigeon Hawk
d. Marsh Hawk

4. What famous ornithologist once had a captive Ivory-billed Woodpecker wreak havoc on his hotel room?

Not too hard at all I would think. Good luck!

Note: This is a used copy of the book.

Fun with Scientific Names

The etymology of bird names is a favorite subject of mine. Head over to The Drinking Bird for a fun quiz on scientific bird names. Do you know which bird's scientific name translates to "Alpine Desert-lover"?

A Photo Quiz to Beat the Heat

It's way too hot here in NJ today. I came across some pictures from a place MUCH colder than here. These awful photos were taken in the dead of winter in far northern Minnesota when I visited there a few years ago. They were taken with my very old, but very reliable, Olympus C2000z. That camera came out in 1999 and still takes great pics. Can you ID the birds? Hopefully this bit of winter will help you beat the heat.

Do you know your poo?

Take the National Wildlife Federation's Scat Quiz. I got 4 out of 5. I guess I know most of my poo.

IATB and a Bird Song Quiz

After you visit Jochen's exceptional edition of I & The Bird, check out this bird song quiz I created. Listen to each song and make your guesses in the comments. Sorry, I don't have any cool prizes to give away.

Song 1


Song 2


Song 3


Song 4