Tuesday 10 December 2013

Good Question 17 - A tricky one tonight

It's Tuesday Night Quiz Night

A few weeks ago I promised a quiz to do with a bird we had ringed that day. The question for tonight is:

What is the connection between these two birds?



Good luck - you might need it tonight.

The Answer

Well it turns out it wasn't such a tough question for most of you. I am going to copy the answer from Douglas who has got it right again (but well done to everyone else that got it right):

I tell people sometimes I meet why the Goldcrest has an alternative name and they look at me like I either made it up or I'm stupid.....but the Goldcrest was/is called the Woodcock Pilot (or was it aviator), it derived this name as legend that went, that they would sneak into the plumage of a woodcock before it migrated over the North Sea, where upon arrival it would emerge from the woodcock, I read that in a book a very good birder lent me and it always made me giggle...probably not the right answer lol

14 comments:

  1. no idea on the answer, but they're both very cool.

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  2. Woodcock Pilot. It was believed Goldcrests from the continent travelled on the back of Woodcocks, thus giving it a rather curious name :)

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  3. Old English name for a Goldcrest is Woodcock Pilot as they arrive just before Woodcock on spring migration

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  4. An old English name for the Goldcrest is the 'Woodcock Pilot' as migrating Goldcrest always preceded the Woodcock by a couple of days.

    Could you send me my Gold Award ASAP please Findlay.

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  5. do both were ringed a Thursday or on the same day?

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  6. I tell people sometimes I meet why the Goldcrest has an alternative name and they look at me like I either made it up or I'm stupid.....but the Goldcrest was/is called the Woodcock Pilot (or was it aviator), it derived this name as legend that went, that they would sneak into the plumage of a woodcock before it migrated over the North Sea, where upon arrival it would emerge from the woodcock, I read that in a book a very good birder lent me and it always made me giggle...probably not the right answer lol

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  7. OK I'll be first. Goldcrests were thought to migrate on the backs of woodcock as they were too small to make the journey hence why they are known as 'woodcock pilots' @btocarms

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  8. Thought you said it was tricky this week? Two of my favourites though...
    Goldcrests arrive a short while before woodcocks in the autumn and were said to show them the way. Some tales say the woodcocks (and long eared owls) carried the goldcrests across the North Sea

    Cheers

    DaveyMan

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  9. A tough one Findlay. Two cracking birds, and I had to look this one up. All that I could come up with is that they both, despite their different sizes, survive on a diet made up mostly of INSECTS...[;o)

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    1. Well, I never knew that...you learn something new every day!

      So!.....How did they steer the Woodcock in the right direction then?...[;o)

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  10. How's your maths homework? I nearly became a maths teacher for your age group but had a lucky escape and became a nature reserve warden instead :-) The school I did my small amount of training in is about to close down, that makes me quite sad really.

    Cheers

    D/M

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  11. Both birds come in masses in the Autumn/Winter

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  12. Well, thats not one I would have got!! Nice pictures of both birds!

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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