Falconry Exam - Section 2 - Apprentice Birds Exam Questions with Answers
Falconry Exam - Section 2 - Apprentice
Birds Exam Questions with Answers
Question 1
The falcon in which sexual dimorphism is found in both plumage coloration and
pattern is the...
a. Peregrine Falcon b. American Kestrel c. Gyrfalcon d. None of the above.
Correct Answer
Ans. b In the adult plumage, both the American Kestrel and the Merlin demonstrate
conspicuous coloration differences based on gender. However, immature Merlins of
either sex look the same.
Question 2
Which of these birds lacks distinctive "immature" plumage during their first year? a.
Goshawk b. Red-tailed Hawk c. Merlin d. American Kestrel
Correct Answer
Ans. d American Kestrels differ from other falcons in that their first year plumage is
very similar to their mature plumage. They differ also in the manner of the first molt.
The body plumage, but not the large wing and tail feathers, are molted and
replaced in the late summer. This means the first body plumage is scarcely fully
grown before it begins to molt.
Question 3
True or false: The American Kestrel is closely related to the Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
Correct Answer
Ans. False The Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) is a small Accipiter or short-
winged hawk and is very similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk (A. striatus). The
American Kestrel (which was formerly called the American Sparrowhawk) is the
smallest North American falcon.
Page 1 of 11
, Falconry Exam - Section 2 - Apprentice Birds Exam Questions with Answers
Question 4
A small hawk alights nearby, and immediately pumps its tail up and down several
times. This "tail pumping" is a good identification field mark of a... a. Sharp-shinned
Hawk b. American Kestrel c. Broad-winged Hawk d. Northern Harrier
Correct Answer
Ans. b Tail pumping, head bobbing, and hovering are the classic field identification
characteristics of an American Kestrel.
Question 5
A very small raptor hovering 20 feet above an open field is most likely a... a. Sharp-
shinned Hawk b. American Kestrel c. Merlin d. Cooper's Hawk
Correct Answer
Ans. b There is nothing shy about a Kestrel. It lives, hunts, nests and perches right
out in the open for all to see. The most typical hunting method of the species is that
of hovering. Even when hunting from atop a pole, it may not make a direct flight to
the quarry. Instead it may fly out over the spot where it has seen something move,
then hover over it before dropping down.
Question 6
Although in the summer this raptor employs a hunting style adapted to catching
grasshoppers and mice, wintering individuals often show a more typical falcon style
when capturing small birds. a. Northern Harrier b. American Kestrel c. Broad-winged
Hawk d. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Correct Answer
Ans. b
Question 7
The species that is most sensitive to weight fluctuations is the... a. Gyrfalcon b. Red-
tailed Hawk c. Peregrine Falcon d. American Kestrel
Correct Answer
Ans. d Due to its small size and fast metabolism, an American Kestrel's weight
should be monitored regularly, particularly in cold weather.
Page 2 of 11
Falconry Exam - Section 2 - Apprentice
Birds Exam Questions with Answers
Question 1
The falcon in which sexual dimorphism is found in both plumage coloration and
pattern is the...
a. Peregrine Falcon b. American Kestrel c. Gyrfalcon d. None of the above.
Correct Answer
Ans. b In the adult plumage, both the American Kestrel and the Merlin demonstrate
conspicuous coloration differences based on gender. However, immature Merlins of
either sex look the same.
Question 2
Which of these birds lacks distinctive "immature" plumage during their first year? a.
Goshawk b. Red-tailed Hawk c. Merlin d. American Kestrel
Correct Answer
Ans. d American Kestrels differ from other falcons in that their first year plumage is
very similar to their mature plumage. They differ also in the manner of the first molt.
The body plumage, but not the large wing and tail feathers, are molted and
replaced in the late summer. This means the first body plumage is scarcely fully
grown before it begins to molt.
Question 3
True or false: The American Kestrel is closely related to the Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
Correct Answer
Ans. False The Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) is a small Accipiter or short-
winged hawk and is very similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk (A. striatus). The
American Kestrel (which was formerly called the American Sparrowhawk) is the
smallest North American falcon.
Page 1 of 11
, Falconry Exam - Section 2 - Apprentice Birds Exam Questions with Answers
Question 4
A small hawk alights nearby, and immediately pumps its tail up and down several
times. This "tail pumping" is a good identification field mark of a... a. Sharp-shinned
Hawk b. American Kestrel c. Broad-winged Hawk d. Northern Harrier
Correct Answer
Ans. b Tail pumping, head bobbing, and hovering are the classic field identification
characteristics of an American Kestrel.
Question 5
A very small raptor hovering 20 feet above an open field is most likely a... a. Sharp-
shinned Hawk b. American Kestrel c. Merlin d. Cooper's Hawk
Correct Answer
Ans. b There is nothing shy about a Kestrel. It lives, hunts, nests and perches right
out in the open for all to see. The most typical hunting method of the species is that
of hovering. Even when hunting from atop a pole, it may not make a direct flight to
the quarry. Instead it may fly out over the spot where it has seen something move,
then hover over it before dropping down.
Question 6
Although in the summer this raptor employs a hunting style adapted to catching
grasshoppers and mice, wintering individuals often show a more typical falcon style
when capturing small birds. a. Northern Harrier b. American Kestrel c. Broad-winged
Hawk d. Sharp-shinned Hawk
Correct Answer
Ans. b
Question 7
The species that is most sensitive to weight fluctuations is the... a. Gyrfalcon b. Red-
tailed Hawk c. Peregrine Falcon d. American Kestrel
Correct Answer
Ans. d Due to its small size and fast metabolism, an American Kestrel's weight
should be monitored regularly, particularly in cold weather.
Page 2 of 11
