In our previous post, ID Study: Ruby-crowned Kinglet vs. Hutton’s Vireo, we discussed the identification challenge of these two superficially similar species. We reviewed several field marks to look for to help with the ID.
Now, onto the fun part! Let’s put what we learned into practice with our Bird Quiz #2: Ruby-crowned Kinglet vs. Hutton’s Vireo!
We’ll start out with a photo quiz for each of the specific field marks we focused on in the ID Study post: Legs, Wing Pattern, Bill, and Face Pattern, and then wrap it up with eight pictures of birds as you might see them in the field.
Can you tell which of these photos are of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and which are of Hutton’s Vireos?
Click the link below each photo collage for answers to that specific grouping, or click the link at the bottom of the page for all the answers.
LEGS
Click here for answers to the above LEGS quiz.
WING PATTERN
Click here for answers to the above WING PATTERN quiz.
BILL
Click here for answers to the above BILL quiz.
FACE PATTERN
Click here for answers to the above FACE PATTERN quiz.
BIRDS IN THE FIELD
Now, let’s put it all together and look at eight photos of birds as we might see them in the field.
Click here for answers to the above BIRDS IN THE FIELD quiz.
BONUS PHOTO QUIZ
We photographed this fledgling bird in July in Sonoma County. Is this adorable puffball waiting for its parent Ruby-crowned Kinglet or its parent Hutton’s Vireo to return and feed it???
Click here for the answer to the above fledgling BONUS PHOTO quiz.
Tell us how you did in the comments below!
Click here for ALL ANSWERS on a single page.
Nice work! Many thanks
We appreciate the feedback, Oscar – thanks! 🙂
What a fun quiz! It really helped reinforce the field marks discussed in your blog.
Thanks, Terri, we had a ton of fun putting it together! We’re glad you found it helpful =)
this was so helpful thank you! 😊
Yay, that pleases us to hear! Thanks, Elizabeth 🙂
This was very informative, abd the quiz was fun. I got 100%. Thank you!
Thanks for the feedback, Susan! We’re so glad you enjoyed the quiz! 🙂
Your article and ID quiz on these two similar species is most helpful. It is actually quite remarkable how their close resemblance masks a handful of distinguishing characteristics. We are getting both species in our yard here in Western Oregon in late December. And as you noted, depending on where they are situated in the binoculars the wing bars, foot color or lore color/beak size can be the distinguishing characteristic. I look forward to seeing if I can differentiate them based on their behavior (then confirming with closer observation with binoculars). To date, neither species has been doing any vocalizations.
Thanks for producing this.
John Esler
12/30/2020
Hi John, Thanks for saying hello. We’re glad these posts were helpful! It really is amazing that two birds in totally different families look so darn similar – convergent evolution at work! =)
Happy backyard birding!
Thank you – this was most helpful! Now if I can remember the tips next time we’re out and about…!
Extremely helpful. Thanks!