391 | Birds of Prey Trivia (Eagles, Hawks, Falcons) | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast

Here we go with some high-flying trivia on this week’s episode of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. I have Birds of Prey trivia covering Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons.

When you’re done with Birds of Prey trivia, check out our other Science Trivia episodes for more knowledge and fun.

Book of the Week

A Most Remarkable Creature

In 1833, Charles Darwin was astonished by an animal he met in the Falkland Islands: handsome, social, and oddly crow-like falcons that were “tame and inquisitive . . . quarrelsome and passionate,” and so insatiably curious that they stole hats, compasses, and other valuables from the crew of the Beagle. Darwin wondered why these birds were confined to remote islands at the tip of South America, sensing a larger story, but he set this mystery aside and never returned to it.

Almost two hundred years later, Jonathan Meiburg takes up this chase. He takes us through South America, from the fog-bound coasts of Tierra del Fuego to the tropical forests of Guyana, in search of these birds: striated caracaras, which still exist, though they’re very rare. He reveals the wild, fascinating story of their history, origins, and possible futures. And along the way, he draws us into the life and work of William Henry Hudson, the Victorian writer and naturalist who championed caracaras as an unsung wonder of the natural world, and to falconry parks in the English countryside, where captive caracaras perform incredible feats of memory and problem-solving. A Most Remarkable Creature is a hybrid of science writing, travelogue, and biography, as generous and accessible as it is sophisticated, and absolutely riveting.

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

Look. Up in the sky. It’s a bird…it’s a…no wait, it’s just birds. This week, I’ve got three rounds of ten questions about birds of prey. Specifically, we’re looking at eagles, hawks, and falcons. Both the animals and their roles in pop culture.

If you’re looking for more trivia, visit DorkyGeekyNerdy.com.

I’m your host and guy who always forgets his binoculars, Brian Rollins. This is episode 391 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast.

Let’s spread our wings and get flying.

The Dorky Round

Eagles Trivia

What is the primary food source for bald eagles?
a. Fish. Particularly, salmon. I’ve seen them hunt in the wild. It’s impressive.
What is the term for an eagle’s nest?
a. An aerie.
Which eagle species has the largest wingspan?
a. The Steller’s sea eagle, reaching up to 8.2 feet.
What dramatic aerial behavior do eagles perform during courtship?
a. The cartwheel display, locking talons and spiraling downward
Which city’s American Football team uses an Eagle as its mascot?
a. Philadelphia
What North American country has an eagle on its flag?
a. Mexico. The eagle is attacking a snake while perched on a prickly pear cactus.
Which eagle is considered the heaviest in the world?
a. The Harpy Eagle. It can weigh up to 20 pounds.
On how many continents can you find species of eagles?
a. Six. They are present on all continents except Antarctica
What European nation has a black two-headed eagle on a red background for its national flag?
a. Albania. The design dates back to 1443.
What unique feature of eagle talons helps them grip prey tightly?
a. Interlocking tendons that clamp down automatically.

The Geeky Round

Hawks Trivia

What is the most common hawk species in North America?
a. The red-tailed hawk. Bonus fact: If you hear a bird of prey crying out in a movie…it’s usually a recording of a red-tailed hawk.
On Looney Tunes, Henery Hawk often faces off with what giant bird?
a. Foghorn Leghorn
What special visual ability allows hawks to detect prey urine trails?
a. Ultraviolet vision
What 1980s toy and cartoon featured characters that were “partly metal. partly real.”?
a. SilverHawks
Which hawk is known for maneuvering through dense forests to catch birds?
a. The Cooper’s hawk
What is the smallest species of hawk?
a. Don’t overthink it. It’s the Tiny Hawk. It has a wingspan of 15-16 inches.
Which American city’s basketball team uses a hawk as its mascot?
a. Atlanta.
What’s the term used for a group of hawks circling on thermals?
a. A Kettle
What 1985 fantasy film featured Michelle Pfiffer changing into a hawk during the day?
a. Ladyhawke
When first hatched, what’s the specific name for a baby hawk?
a. An eyas

The Nerdy Round

Falcons Trivia

What is the fastest animal on Earth?
a. The Peregrine falcon. During a dive, it can exceed 240 MPH.
What ancient practice involves training falcons to hunt?
a. Falconry. It takes back over 4,000 years
Which Egyptian sun god has a falcon for his head?
a. Ra. I should note that Horus and Khonsu also have falcon heads.
Which falcon can hover in place while hunting?
a. The American kestrel.
What US fighter jet is nicknamed the Fighting Falcon?
a. The F-16. The aircraft are still used by the Air Force’s Thunderbirds stunt flying team.
Sharing its name with an ancient wizard, which small falcon is known for rapid, agile flight and hunting songbirds?
a. The merlin
What is the name of Falcon’s companion in the Marvel comics?
a. Redwing. The MCU films replaced him with a drone.
What unique beak feature helps falcons kill prey quickly?
a. The tomial tooth, a sharp notch for severing vertebrae.
When Hitchcock coined the term, Macguffin, he used what object from a Dashiell Hammett novel (and movie)?
a. The Maltese Falcon
What bird-named spaceship is a YT-1300 Corellian light freighter?
a. The Millennium Falcon

Episode Conclusion

Back to the nest because we are done. Let me know in the comment what your favorite bird of prey is (assuming you have one). Also, feel free to reach out with suggestions for other animal-based trivia.

Next week, it’s some fantasy trivia. Here’s a clue:

Who are the three main characters in JK Rowling’s wizarding world books?

That’s it. That’s where we’re heading. Grab your wand and your cloak and get ready for a deep dive into those three characters. I’ll see you back here next Wednesday.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.