1.1 General

Question 1

A hawk is…
A. A generic trem describing a non-eagle, vulture, diurnal bird of prey.
B. A member of the genus Accipiter.
C. A diurnal raptor with short rounded wings, long tail and light eyes.
D. All the above.

Answer 1

D. All the above.

Question 2

A “bird of prey” or “raptor” is …
A. Any bird that preys on other living creatures.
B. A bird with powerful taloned feet for grasping and killing, a hooked beak for treating flesh and includes all members of the Orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes.
C. A member Order Falconiformes, but not of the Order Strigiformes.
D. A member of the Order Strigiformes, but not of the Orders Falconiformes.

Answer 2

B. A bird with powerful taloned feet for grasping and killing, a hooked beak for treating flesh and includes all members of the Orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes.

Question 3

A falcon is…
A. The female of the species Falco peregrinus.
B. A generic term twin crude all raptors with long, pointed wings, long tails, small heads and broad shoulders.
C. Any bird used in falconry.
D. “a” and “b” but not “c”.

Answer 3

D. “a” and “b” but not “c”

Question 4

A buzzard is…
A. A member of the genus Buteo with wide core wings, an heavy body, and a short or “stubby’ tail and superb soaring capabilities.
B. A carrion-eating raptor with a featherless head and superb soaring capabilities.
C. The European vernacular for the genus of raptors that includes the red-tailed hawk, the red-shouldered hawk, the ferruginous hawk, the common buzzard, and the broad-winged hawk.
D. “a” and “c” but not “b”.

Answer 4

D. “a” and “c” but not “b”.

Question 5

An eagle is…
A. A member of the genus Aqila with long wings and a medium tail.
B. A large hawk-like bird.
C. Any hawk-like bird larger than the female gyrfalcon.
D. All the above.

Answer 5

A. A member of the genus Aqila with long wings and a medium tail.

Question 6

What’s the difference between falcons and hawks?
A. “Falcons” include only members of the Family Falconidea.
B. “Hawks” is a generic term like “raptor” that includes all the species in the Order Falconiforms.
C. Anatomical and behavioral differences.
D. All The above.

Answer 6

D. All The above

Question 7

Hawks have long, pointed wings, long tails, small heads and broad shoulders.
T/F

Answer 7

False

Question 8

In genus falco, the third and/or fourth primary from the leading edge of the wing is/are the longest.
T/F

Answer 8

False

Question 9

Initial selection of a nesting area by migratory raptors, such as the prairie falcon, accompanied later by aerial display, is generally made by the…
A. Male, who returns first to the nesting area.
B. Female, who remains year around.
C. Neither hawk-it just happens.
D. None of the above.

Answer 9

A. Male, who returns first to the nesting area.

Question 10

Adult raptors are most likely to desert a nest…
A. Just prior to egg laying.
B. During late incubation.
C. During hatching.
D. Just prior to fledging.

Answer 10

A. Just prior to egg laying.

Question 11

The first clutch of eggs is destroyed, many hawks and falcons will lay a second clutch.
T/F

Answer 11

True

Question 12

The falconer is most likely to encounter a brancher in June.
T/F

Answer 12

False

Question 13

Young hawks, particularly longwings, tend to take prey considerably larger than is typical for adults of the same species. This is because…
A. The youngsters are still growing and need more than an adult.
B. The young hawks are stronger and out-compete their elders for larger, more nutritious prey.
C. More skill is required to catch a smaller bird.
D. All of the above.

Answer 13

C. More skill is required to catch a smaller bird.

Question 14

Falconifromes generally come into their adult plumage at first molt which is at..
A. Six months of age.
B. About one year of age.
C. About two years of age.
D. None of the above.

Answer 14

B. About one year of age.

Question 15

You can tell the difference between male and female raptors by the…
A. Faster speed of the females
B. Faster speed of the males.
C. Larger size of the females.
D. Larger size of the males.

Answer 15

C. Larger size of the females.

Question 16

Hawks in immature plumage appear to be …
A. Smaller than when they become adults.
B. Larger than when they become adults.
C. The same size as when they become adults.
D. Larger or smaller can the adults, depending on how well they were fed as nestlings, and on how successful they were as hunters after leaving the nest.

Answer 16

B. Larger than when they become adults.

Question 17

Hawks hunt by sight and hearing. Their sense of smell is not well developed.
T/F

Answer 17

True

Question 18

If baby raptors are in the nest and one parent raptor is lost…
A. The remaining parent of either sex takes over all parenting duties.
B. If only the male survives, he abandons the nestlings.
C. If only the female survives, she finds another male to take over hunting.
D. None of the above.

Answer 18

A. The remaining parent of either sex takes over all parenting duties.

Question 19

In which species of longwing is there sexual dimorphism as to coloration and pattern?
A. Peregrine
B. American Kestrel
C. Gyrfalcon
D. None of the above

Answer 19

B. American Kestrel

Question 20

A malar Stripe is likely to be found on…
A. A peregrine.
B. A Ptarmigan.
C. A Mollen hood
D. An ornate hawk eagle

Answer 20

A. A peregrine.

Question 21

Which of the following does not have long, pointed wings?
A. Tiercel.
B. Jack .
C. Jerkin.
D. Musket.

Answer 21

D. Musket.

Question 22

Which of the following is the largest hawk?
A. Jerkin.
B. Jack.
C. Falcon.
D. Tiercel.

Answer 22

A. Jerkin.

Question 23

A dark hood and a white superciliary line are the field identification markings of the adult goshawk.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

One is most likely to find the cere…
A. On the head of the raptor.
B. On the feet of a raptor.
C. On the wings of a raptor.
D. Around the breast area of a raptor.

Answer 24

A. On the head of the raptor.

Question 25

The ***Tarsus*** of a raptor is part of the hawk's ... A. Wing B. Leg. C. Tail. D. Head

Answer 25

B. Leg.

Question 26

A hawk's ***train*** is its... A. Head. B.Wing. C. Foot. D. Tail.

Answer 26

D. Tail.

Question 27

***Deck Feathers*** are the... A. Central pair of tail feathers in the ***train***. B. Feather tuft on top of a longwing's hood. C. Feathers used in limping broken tail or wing feathers. D. Row of feathers which run down the wing above the primaries and secondaries.

Answer 27

A. Central pair of tail feathers in the ***train***.

Question 28

A good indication of completed growth in eyasses is when the hawk is ... A. ***Full*** ***summed***. B. ***Hard*** ***penned***. C. Both of the above. D. None of the above.

Answer 28

B.*** Hard penned***.

Question 29

Your hawk is more likely to ***mantle***... A. When relaxed and contented. B. When studying over prey. C. Both "a" and "b". D. Neither "a" and "b".

Answer 29

C. Both "a" and "b".

Question 30

A hawk that is very comfortable with its surrounding and has a full crop is likely to... A ***Gorge***. B. ***Hack***. C. ***Rouse***. D. ***Rangle***.

Answer 30

C. ***Rouse***.

Question 31

A hawk is likely to ***preen***... A. Following a bath. B. When it's content . C. When it is under stress D. Both "a" and "b".

Answer 31

D. Both "a" and "b".

Question 32

After leaving the care of their parents, raptors gain upwards of 25% body mass and 10% greater wing span. T/F

Answer 32

False

Question 33

A large dark raptor soars overhead.It is mostly dark but has white patches under the wings. It is most likely an immature bald eagle. T/F

Answer 33

False

Question 34

There are seven species of harriers in North America. T/F

Answer 34

False

Question 35

Which of the following species locates it prey by sound. A. Marsh Hawk. B. Ospery. C. Sallow-tailed kite. D. Audubon's caracara.

Answer 35

A. Marsh Hawk.

Question 36

Which of the following raptors can grip with two toes in front and two in the back? A. Gyrfalcon. B. Bald eagle. C. Osprey. D. Ferruginous Hawk.

Answer 36

C. Osprey.

Question 37

Longwings are uniquely different from other members in that they... A. Posses extra large feet. B. Have a "notched" beak. C. Feed only on birds. D. Are the most maneuverable.

Answer 37

B. Have a "notched" beak.

Question 38

Longwings subdue their prey with the tremendous gripping power of their feet. T/F

Answer 38

False

Question 39

The hawks that are most efficient at killing their prey after catching it are the ... A. Longwing. B. Buteos. C. Accipiters. D. Eagles.

Answer 39

A. Longwing.

Question 40

The hawk least likely to ***slice*** is the... A. Peregrine. B. Red-tailed hawk. C. Golden Eagle. D. Goshawk.

Answer 40

A. Peregrine.

Question 41

Nests are not built by longwings. T/F

Answer 41

True

Question 42

The basic requirement for nest sites of all the large longwings. A. Nearby supply ptarmigans. B. Desert areas. C. Isolated woodland. D. Cliffs.

Answer 42

D. Cliffs.

Question 43

Male hawks do the bulk of the hunting after the young hatch. T/F

Answer 43

True

Question 44

Some gyrfalcon falcons nest in trees. T/F

Answer 44

True

Question 45

Which hawks apt to occupy and defend the largest territory? A. Gyrfalcon. B. Marsh Hawk. C. American Kestrel.

Answer 45

A. Gyrfalcon.

Question 46

The attack style of the Gyrfalcon is similar to the Peregrine. T/F

Answer 46

False

Question 47

The Gyrfalcon seems closely related to the desert saker falcon. T/F

Answer 47

False

Question 48

The peregrine could be called the worlds most successful hawk because it... A. Occurs on nearly all continents. B. Lays more eggs per clutch than any other raptor. C. Prays on all other species. D. Has no species that competes with it except man.

Answer 48

A. Occurs on nearly all continents.

Question 49

The plumage, skin and scale areas of adult peregrines differ from those of immatures. T/F

Answer 49

True

Question 50

The incubation period for peregrine eggs is... A. Twenty-one days. B. Twenty-four days. C. Thirty-two days. D. Forty-four days.

Answer 50

C. Thirty-two days.

Question 51

The large dark peregrine which dwells on the American northwest coast and islands Oregon to British Columbia, southeastern Alaska and Aleutians is known as ... A. *Falco peregrinus anatum*- anatum falcons. B. *Falco pererinus pealei*- Peal's falcon. C. *Falco peregrinus tundrius*- tundra falcon. D. *Falco peregrinus peregrinus*- European falcon.

Answer 51

B. *Falco pererinus pealei*- Peal's falcon.

Question 52

The distinguishing identification characteristic of this hawk is almost black triangular patch underneath the wing where flank and wing feathers meet. A. Prairie falcon. B. Lugger. C. Peal's falcon. D. Lanner.

Answer 52

A. Prairie falcon.

Question 53

Blow flies and whitewash are good indications of an occupied prairie falcon eyrie. T/F

Answer 53

True

Question 54

The nest cliff of the prairie falcon will likely face... A. North to Northwest. B. South to Southwest. C. Due East. D. West by southwest.

Answer 54

B. South to Southwest.

Question 55

A young prairie falcon will leave its eyrie at approximately... A. Five to six weeks. B. Eight to nine weeks. C. Twelve to thirteen weeks. D. Sixteen to nineteen weeks.

Answer 55

A. Five to six weeks.

Question 56

The hunting style of the prairie falcon is the best described as... A. More opportunistic than the peregrine. B. Almost exactly like the gyrfalcon. C. The falconine counterpart of the red-tailed hawk. D. None of the above.

Answer 56

C. The falconine counterpart of the red-tailed hawk.

Question 57

Prairie falcons are migratory throughout their breeding range. T/F

Answer 57

False

Question 58

The longwing with the most accipitrine hunting style is the... A. Merlin. B. Prairie falcon. C. Peregrine. D. Gyrfalcon.

Answer 58

A. Merlin.

Question 59

The attack style of the merlin is similar to the gyrfalcon. T/F

Answer 59

False

Question 60

The longwing most likely to be around nesting in a deserted crow's nest is the... A. Peregrine. B. Prairie falcon. C. Gyrfalcon. D. Merlin.

Answer 60

D. Merlin

Question 61

Merlins have much the same measurements of wingspan and tail length as the American Kestrel, have a similar form of plumage sexual dimorphism, but weight more. T/F

Answer 61

True

Question 62

Which of these birds lacks highly dismissive "immature" plumage during its first year? A. Goshawk. B. Red-tailed hawk. C. Peregrine. D. American kestrel.

Answer 62

D. American kestrel.

Question 63

The American Kestrel or American sparrowhawk is closely related to the ***European sparrowhawk***. T/F

Answer 63

False

Question 64

A small hawk alights derby, and immediately pumps the tail up and down severeal times. this "tail pumping" is a good field identification mark of a ... A. Sharp-shinned hawk. B. American kestrel. C. Merlin. D. Male Cooper's hawk.

Answer 64

B. American kestrel.

Question 65

A small raptor ***hovering*** in place twenty feet over a field by a well-traveled road is most likely a ... A. Sharp-shinned hawk. B. American kestrel. C. Merlin. D. Male Cooper's hawk.

Answer 65

B. American kestrel.

Question 66

This hawk utilizes a summer buteonine hunting style adapted to catching grasshoppers and mice. Wintering individuals often show a more falconine style capturing birds. This is the... A. Marsh hawk. B. American kestrel. C. Merlin. D. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Answer 66

B. American kestrel.

Question 67

The strongest foot for tis size is found on the... A. Peregrine. B. Merlin. C. American kestrel.

Answer 67

C. American kestrel.

Question 68

A raptor that will often accept a man-made bird house for nesting is the... A. American kestrel. C. Harrier. D. Red-tailed hawk. C. Cooper's hawk.

Answer 68

A. American kestrel.

Question 69

How can you tell a passage American Kestrel from a haggard American Kestrel? A. The passage feathers are in better condition. B. The overall color of the plumage is different. brownish for the passage and blueish for adult. C. The passage American Kestrel is larger than the haggard. D. The passager retains immature wing feathers until moulted during its first winter.

Answer 69

D. The passager retains immature wing feathers until moulted during its first winter.

Question 70

A species which normally breeds successfully at one year of age is the... A. American kestrel. B. Peregrine. C. Bald eagle. D. All of the above.

Answer 70

A. American kestrel.

Question 71

The incubation period for the eggs of the American Kestrel is thirty-three days. T/F

Answer 71

False

Question 72

The correct descending order in size for accipiters is... A. Goshawk, cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, sparrowhawk. B. Goshawk, cooper's hawk, sparrowhawk, sharp-shinned hawk. C. Goshawk, sparrowhawk, cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk. D. Goshawk, sparrowhawk, sharp-shinned hawk, cooper's hawk.

Answer 72

B. Goshawk, cooper's hawk, sparrowhawk, sharp-shinned hawk.

Question 73

Accipiters kill their prey by the power of their speed on impact. T/F

Answer 73

False

Question 74

You catch a glimpse of a crow-sized hawk that makes a furious pass at pigeon and then rests briefly in a tree. It gives an impression of a dark brown breast. The folded tail is strongly banded black on charcoal grey and the it is clearly round in shape. it is most likely a... A. Immature goshawk. B. Cooper's hawk. C. Red-shouldered hawk. D. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Answer 74

B. Cooper's hawk.

Question 75

The first hawk to meet in the northern forest is generally the... A. Goshawk. B. Merlin. C. Harris' hawk. D. Marsh hawk.

Answer 75

B. Merlin.

Question 76

Which hawk is most likely to require a plucking log or stump near it's nesting site? A. Red-tailed hawk. B. Goshawk. C. American kestrel. D. Red-shoulder hawk.

Answer 76

B. Goshawk

Question 77

The hawk most likely to attack intruders near its site when young are in the nest is the... A. Prairie falcon. B. Harris' hawk. C. Goshawk. D. Red-tailed hawk.

Answer 77

C. Goshawk.

Question 78

Under ideal conditions, a goshawk can be expected to live to be twenty years old. T/F

Answer 78

True

Question 79

The hawk most likely to use stealth in capturing its prey is the... A. Marsh Hawk. B. Gyrfalcon. C. Red-tailed hawk. D. Goshawk.

Answer 79

D. Goshawk.

Question 80

You are most likely to find a Cooper's hawk nest... A. In a coniferous forest in a mountain valleys. B. The woods near open meadows. C. On cliffs abutting open country. D. In dead or branchless trees, like loblolly pines in open marshlands with low brush.

Answer 80

B. The woods near open meadows.

Question 81

The Cooper's hawk tends to be a more southerly, lower altitude, warmer weather hawk than the goshawk. T/F

Answer 81

True

Question 82

The wild Cooper's hawk is more inclined to hunt out across open fields than most goshawks. T/F

Answer 82

True

Question 83

Of the following, the most abundant hawk on the North American continent is probably the... A. Red-tailed hawk. B. Peregine. C. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Answer 83

C. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Question 84

The most migratory North American accipiter is the... A. Sharp-shinned hawk. B. Cooper's hawk. C. Goshawk. D. Merlin.

Answer 84

A. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Question 85

Small birds are the principal dietary item of the... A. Sharp-shinned hawk. B. Red-tailed hawk. C. American sparrowhawk. D. Harris' hawk.

Answer 85

A. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Question 86

Proportionally, the largest foot size is found on the... A. Red-tailed hawk. B. Kestrel. C. Sharp-shinned hawk. D. Golden eagle.

Answer 86

C. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Question 87

Buteos are usually described as... A. Having long, pointed wings; preying chiefly on birds. B. Distinguished from the longwings, having longer tails and shorter, rounded wings, most obvious in flight. C. Useless for falconry. D. Robust bodies, long broad wings, and short to medium length tails.

Answer 87

D. Robust bodies, long broad wings, and short to medium length tails.

Question 88

Since the ferruginous hawk is much larger than the red-tailed hawk, it has correspondingly larger feet. T/F

Answer 88

False

Question 89

Which has the largest and heaviest of the north American hawks? A. Red-taled hawk. B. Ferruginous hawk. C. Gyrfalcon. D. Peale's falcon.

Answer 89

B. Ferruginous hawk.

Question 90

Which hawk builds the largest nest? A. Golden eagle. B. Osprey. C. Ferruginous hawk.

Answer 90

C. Ferruginous hawk.

Question 91

A medium-sized raptor glides by overhead. It has strongly banded tail and translucent, almost clear areas near the wing trips. It is most likely a... A. Ferruginous hawk. B. Goshawk. C. Red-shoulded hawk D. Cooper's hawk.

Answer 91

C. Red-shoulded hawk

Question 92

Red-shouldered hawk are... A. New to falconry in California. B. Are birds of the forest. C. Are extremely noisy. D. None of the above.

Answer 92

D. None of the above.

Question 93

In the wild, red-tailed hawk will not hunt game birds. T/F

Answer 93

False

Question 94

The sex of a red-tailed hawk can be determined in most cases by... A. Weight. B. Eye color. C. Coloration of plumage. D. None of the above.

Answer 94

A. Weight.

Question 95

There is size sexual dimorphism in the Red-tailed hawk. T/F

Answer 95

True

Question 96

Of the following, the raptor least inclined to migrate is the... A. Tundra Peregrine. B. Merlin. C. Red-tailed hawk. D. Sharp-shinned hawk.

Answer 96

C. Red-tailed hawk.

Question 97

Red-tails nest only in trees... T/F

Answer 97

False

Question 98

In California, Red-tailed hawks lay their eggs in... A. February/ March. B. March/April. C. April/May. D.May/June.

Answer 98

B. March/April.

Question 99

Red-tails generally have how many young? A. Two. B. Three. C. Four.

Answer 99

B. Three.

Question 100

The red-tailed hawk ***eyass*** generally leaves the nest for the first time at six weeks. T/F

Answer 100

True

Question 101

The Harlan's hawk is a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk. T/F

Answer 101

True

Question 102

You can tell a passage red-tailed hawk from a passage red-tailed hawk by the dar palatial marks. T/F

Answer 102

True

Question 103

The hawk with the most tenacious and concentrated grip after a strike is the... A. Goshawk. B. Ferruginous hawk. C. Red-tailed hawk. D. None of the above.

Answer 103

C. Red-tailed hawk.

Question 104

Wild red-tailed hawks seas to prefer to hunt... A. From a soar over flat prairies. B. In deep woods. C. Sitting on light poles by the freeway. D. None the above.

Answer 104

C. Sitting on light poles by the freeway.

Question 105

The sole member of the genus Parabueto is the Harris' hawk. T/F

Answer 105

True

Question 106

While driving in the Sonoran Desert you see a raptor perched on a tall saguaro cactus. The most likely identification is... A. Rough-legged hawk. B. Ferruginous hawk. C. Prairie Falcon. D. Harris' hawk.

Answer 106

D. Harris' hawk.

Question 107

Castings contain bones and often the entire skulls of the prey in the pellets. A. Longwings. B. Accipiter. C. Buteo. D. Owl.

Answer 107

D. Owl.

Question 108

Which does not have a crop? A. Red-tailed hawk. B. Bald Eagle. C. Osprey. D. Great horned owl.

Answer 108

D. Great horned owl.

Question 109

The raptor that can lift heavier loads in proportion to it s size than any other raptor is the great horned owl. T/F

Answer 109

True

Question 110

In March, you find a raptorial baby bird "abandoned" on the forest floor. It is probably a... A. Red-tailed hawk. B. Great horned owl. C. Goshawk. D. Golden eagle.

Answer 110

B. Great horned owl.

Question 111

You can take and use barred owls for falconry. T/F

Answer 111

True

Question 112

Of one hundred red-tailed hawks born in a given year, how many are alive after five years? A. One year. B. Two years. C. Ten. D. Five.

Answer 112

D. Five.

Question 113

The average life-span of a wild adult red-tailed hawk, assuming it makes it to adulthood is... A. One year. B. Two years. C. Five years. D. Ten years.

Answer 113

B. Two years.