Identification and taxonomy of birds MCQs
By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 12, 2024

What is the primary purpose of bird taxonomy?
- A) To classify birds into categories based on shared characteristics
- B) To identify birds by their colors
- C) To study bird behavior
- D) To count bird populations
  Answer: A) To classify birds into categories based on shared characteristics

Which taxonomic rank is directly above the family in bird classification?
- A) Genus
- B) Order
- C) Species
- D) Class
  Answer: B) Order

The scientific name of a bird species consists of which two parts?
- A) Order and Family
- B) Genus and Species
- C) Family and Genus
- D) Class and Order
  Answer: B) Genus and Species

Which of the following bird families is known for its raptors?
- A) Corvidae
- B) Accipitridae
- C) Anatidae
- D) Trochilidae
  Answer: B) Accipitridae

What is the main characteristic used to differentiate between bird species in field identification?
- A) Plumage color and patterns
- B) Beak size
- C) Nesting habits
- D) Feeding behavior
  Answer: A) Plumage color and patterns

Which bird family includes species such as sparrows and finches?
- A) Sturnidae
- B) Fringillidae
- C) Columbidae
- D) Alcedinidae
  Answer: B) Fringillidae

In bird taxonomy, what does the term “species” refer to?
- A) A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
- B) A larger group of related organisms
- C) A classification below family
- D) A type of bird behavior
  Answer: A) A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring

Which taxonomic rank is immediately below “genus” in bird classification?
- A) Family
- B) Species
- C) Order
- D) Subspecies
  Answer: B) Species

What is the purpose of a dichotomous key in bird identification?
- A) To help identify birds using a series of choices between characteristics
- B) To classify birds into different orders
- C) To count the number of bird species
- D) To measure bird wing spans
  Answer: A) To help identify birds using a series of choices between characteristics

Which of the following bird species belongs to the family “Corvidae”?
- A) Blue jay
- B) Red-tailed hawk
- C) Barn owl
- D) American robin
  Answer: A) Blue jay

The order “Passeriformes” is known for which type of birds?
- A) Songbirds
- B) Raptors
- C) Waterfowl
- D) Seabirds
  Answer: A) Songbirds

Which family of birds includes species such as eagles and hawks?
- A) Accipitridae
- B) Strigidae
- C) Charadriidae
- D) Picidae
  Answer: A) Accipitridae

In bird taxonomy, what does the term “genus” refer to?
- A) A group of closely related species
- B) The largest taxonomic rank
- C) A specific bird species
- D) A type of bird habitat
  Answer: A) A group of closely related species

Which bird family includes the hummingbirds?
- A) Trochilidae
- B) Alcedinidae
- C) Sturnidae
- D) Columbidae
  Answer: A) Trochilidae

The term “endemism” in bird taxonomy refers to what?
- A) A species that is native to and restricted to a specific region
- B) A species that migrates long distances
- C) A bird that lives in multiple continents
- D) A bird species with the ability to adapt to various environments
  Answer: A) A species that is native to and restricted to a specific region

Which of the following is a characteristic of birds in the family “Anatidae”?
- A) Webbed feet
- B) Sharp talons
- C) Long, slender bills
- D) Colorful plumage
  Answer: A) Webbed feet

What does the term “subspecies” refer to in bird taxonomy?
- A) A division within a species that exhibits distinct physical differences
- B) A higher taxonomic rank than species
- C) A completely different genus
- D) A bird species found only in zoos
  Answer: A) A division within a species that exhibits distinct physical differences

Which bird species is classified under the family “Sturnidae”?
- A) Common starling
- B) Barn owl
- C) Peregrine falcon
- D) Great blue heron
  Answer: A) Common starling

In bird identification, what does “morph” refer to?
- A) A variation in physical appearance within a species
- B) A type of bird song
- C) A specific migration pattern
- D) A bird’s feeding behavior
  Answer: A) A variation in physical appearance within a species

What is the significance of the “IUCN Red List” in bird taxonomy?
- A) It provides information on the conservation status of bird species
- B) It categorizes birds by their physical size
- C) It lists birds by their migration patterns
- D) It identifies new bird species
  Answer: A) It provides information on the conservation status of bird species

Which order of birds is known for its aquatic lifestyle and includes species like penguins?
- A) Procellariiformes
- B) Pelecaniformes
- C) Sphenisciformes
- D) Charadriiformes
  Answer: C) Sphenisciformes

Which family of birds includes species like the woodpeckers?
- A) Picidae
- B) Hirundinidae
- C) Falconidae
- D) Ardeidae
  Answer: A) Picidae

Which bird species belongs to the family “Ardeidae”?
- A) Great egret
- B) American kestrel
- C) Common raven
- D) Ruby-throated hummingbird
  Answer: A) Great egret

The term “phenotype” refers to what aspect of birds?
- A) The observable physical traits of an individual
- B) The genetic makeup of a species
- C) The migratory behavior of birds
- D) The habitat preference of birds
  Answer: A) The observable physical traits of an individual

Which taxonomic category is used to classify birds at the broadest level?
- A) Class
- B) Order
- C) Family
- D) Genus
  Answer: A) Class

What is the focus of “molecular taxonomy” in bird studies?
- A) Using genetic data to classify and understand bird relationships
- B) Studying bird songs
- C) Observing bird flight patterns
- D) Analyzing bird nests
  Answer: A) Using genetic data to classify and understand bird relationships

Which bird family is characterized by its members having long legs and necks, such as the flamingos?
- A) Phoenicopteridae
- B) Anatidae
- C) Gruidae
- D) Ciconiidae
  Answer: A) Phoenicopteridae

What does “taxonomic hierarchy” refer to in bird classification?
- A) The system of ranks used to organize bird species from broad to specific categories
- B) The method of identifying birds by their behavior
- C) The process of documenting bird populations
- D) The categorization of birds by their geographic location
  Answer: A) The system of ranks used to organize bird species from broad to specific categories

Which of the following is NOT a taxonomic rank in bird classification?
- A) Domain
- B) Family
- C) Tribe
- D) Morph
  Answer: D) Morph

The term “apomorphy” in bird taxonomy refers to what?
- A) A derived or specialized trait that is unique to a particular group of birds
- B) A trait that is shared by all members of a genus
- C) A common trait among different bird families
- D) A physical characteristic that is only visible in the breeding season
  Answer: A) A derived or specialized trait that is unique to a particular group of birds

MCQs on wildlife

1. Wildlife Biology MCQs

2. Ecology MCQs

3. Conservation Biology MCQs

4. Animal Behavior MCQs

5. Population Dynamics MCQs

6. Wildlife Management MCQs

7. Biodiversity MCQs

8. Endangered Species MCQs

Criteria for species endangerment MCQs

9. Habitat Restoration MCQs

10. GIS and Remote Sensing MCQs

11. Wildlife Law and Policy MCQs

12. Zoology MCQs

13. Forestry MCQs

14. Field Research Methods MCQs

15. Wildlife Photography and Documentation MCQs

16. Veterinary Science MCQs

17. Environmental Impact Assessment MCQs

18. Marine Biology MCQs

19. Ornithology MCQs

20. Herpetology MCQs

21. Mammalogy MCQs

22. Entomology MCQs

Related Posts: