{"id":63540,"date":"2024-07-01T18:37:53","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T22:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/?p=63540"},"modified":"2024-11-01T10:21:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T14:21:41","slug":"quiz-phylogeny-evolution-choose-closest-relative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/quiz-phylogeny-evolution-choose-closest-relative\/","title":{"rendered":"Quiz: Can You Pick the Closest Relatives on the Tree of Avian Evolution?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Illustration-Evolution-Jen_Lobo-social-2-1280x720.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of many different birds with a phylogenetic tree graphic of evolution.\" class=\"wp-image-63760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Illustration-Evolution-Jen_Lobo-social-2-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Illustration-Evolution-Jen_Lobo-social-2-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Illustration-Evolution-Jen_Lobo-social-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Illustration-Evolution-Jen_Lobo-social-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Illustration-Evolution-Jen_Lobo-social-2.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Cornell Lab of Ornithology | <a href=\"https:\/\/birdsoftheworld.org\/bow\/home\">Birds of the World<\/a> | Illustration by <a href=\"https:\/\/jenlobo.com\/\">Jen Lobo<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sidebar-alignright order-bottom\"><div class=\"article-list list-style\"><h2 class=\"article-list-header\">More From Living Bird<\/h2><ul><li class=\"article-item\"><div class=\"article-item-container\"><div class=\"article-item-media  content-living-bird-toc\" data-link-to=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-summer-2024-table-of-contents\/\"><figure class=\"article-item-media-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/LIvingBird-summer24-Toco_Toucan-Angelo_Gandolfi-FI.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/LIvingBird-summer24-Toco_Toucan-Angelo_Gandolfi-FI-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/LIvingBird-summer24-Toco_Toucan-Angelo_Gandolfi-FI-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/LIvingBird-summer24-Toco_Toucan-Angelo_Gandolfi-FI-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/LIvingBird-summer24-Toco_Toucan-Angelo_Gandolfi-FI-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/LIvingBird-summer24-Toco_Toucan-Angelo_Gandolfi-FI.jpg 1225w\" sizes=\"\" alt=\"Black and white bird with a giant red, orange and yellow bill with a black tip, head back with a berry thrown up between it's bill.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"article-item-body\"><a class=\"article-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-summer-2024-table-of-contents\/\"><span class=\"article-item-header\">Living Bird Summer 2024\u2014Table Of Contents<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"article-item\"><div class=\"article-item-container\"><div class=\"article-item-media  content-living-bird-toc\" data-link-to=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-summer-2026-table-of-contents\/\"><figure class=\"article-item-media-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-latest.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-latest.png 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-latest-240x180.png 240w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-latest-480x360.png 480w\" sizes=\"\" alt=\"Living Bird-latest issue\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"article-item-body\"><a class=\"article-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-summer-2026-table-of-contents\/\"><span class=\"article-item-header\">Living Bird Magazine\u2014Latest Issue<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li><li class=\"article-item\"><div class=\"article-item-container\"><div class=\"article-item-media  content-article\" data-link-to=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-magazine-archives\/\"><figure class=\"article-item-media-ratio\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-acrhive.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-acrhive.png 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-acrhive-240x180.png 240w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/living-bird-acrhive-480x360.png 480w\" sizes=\"\" alt=\"Living Bird archives\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"article-item-body\"><a class=\"article-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-magazine-archives\/\"><span class=\"article-item-header\">Living Bird Magazine Archives<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">From the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/living-bird-summer-2024-table-of-contents\/\">Summer 2024 issue<\/a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<em>Living Bird<\/em>&nbsp;magazine.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/join.birds.cornell.edu\/page\/14522\/donate\">Subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evolution works in somewhat mysterious ways. Two birds at the same backyard feeder that look alike could be separated by millions of years of evolutionary history. Meanwhile, two birds that are each other\u2019s closest evolutionary cousins could live on opposite sides of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That mixing and matching of birds with different speciation histories is borne of two seemingly opposing forces of evolution. On the one hand, divergent evolution is pushing closely related species away from each other; natural selection (the race to enhance survival, such as being better at exploiting food resources or evading predators) pushes birds to gain an advantage by looking different or moving someplace different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div class=\"wp-block-group sidebar-alignright sidebar-space order-bottom\"><!--HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\r\n<span class=\"hs-cta-wrapper\" id=\"hs-cta-wrapper-096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da\">\r\n    <span class=\"hs-cta-node hs-cta-096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da\" id=\"hs-cta-096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da\">\r\n        <!--[if lte IE 8]><div id=\"hs-cta-ie-element\"><\/div><![endif]-->\r\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/cta-redirect.hubspot.com\/cta\/redirect\/95627\/096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da\" ><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hs-cta-img\" id=\"hs-cta-img-096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da\" style=\"border-width:0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/95627\/096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da.png\"  alt=\"subscribe to Living Bird magazine\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\r\n    <\/span>\r\n    <script charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/js.hscta.net\/cta\/current.js\"><\/script>\r\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n        hbspt.cta.load(95627, '096b8ce3-0e2d-46c5-bbf7-12de3323c8da', {});\r\n    <\/script>\r\n<\/span>\r\n<!-- end HubSpot Call-to-Action Code -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, convergent evolution can push distantly related species to resemble each other. Again natural selection is a driving force. Bird species that eat flying insects tend to have similar aerodynamic body shapes (even if they aren\u2019t close relatives), kind of like how different kinds of aquatic animals, such as fish and whales, similarly evolved elongated bodies and fins for swimming underwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This push and pull of divergent and convergent evolution can make for some surprises when birders dig into the phylogeny (that is, the evolutionary relationships) of some of their favorite birds. Try your hand at guessing which species might be most closely related in the following groupings of birds from your backyard and around the world. Physical resemblances or proximity to one another may be a helpful clue \u2026 but then again, maybe not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group well-gray is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avian Phylogeny: An Evolutionary Tree for Birds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"634\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe-1280x634.jpg\" alt=\"A clade diagram of avian evolution with images of two perched birds with long blue-black bodies and long, curved bills.\" class=\"wp-image-63599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe-1280x634.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe-720x357.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe-768x381.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe-1536x761.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe-480x238.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/CLade-Scimitarbill-Woodhoopoe.jpg 2018w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photos from Macaulay Library: <em>Black-billed Woodhoopoe by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/584326121\">Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok<\/a><\/em><\/em>, <em>Common Scimitarbill by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/586201791\">Daniel Engelbrecht<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A phylogeny shows how species are related to one another and displays information about how long ago two or more species shared a common ancestor, revealing the greater patterns at play in evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A clade is a portion of an evolutionary tree in which all the species descend from a common ancestor. In the snippet above from the phylogenetic tree in the order Bucerotiformes, any grouping of species that can be traced in their roots back to a single point form a clade\u2014such as all of the scimitarbills and all of the woodhoopoes, or just Forest and Black Scimitarbills, or just Black-billed and Violet Woodhoopoes. Clades indicate direct lines of evolutionary descent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DNA Tech Is Making Phylogenies Easier to Construct\u2014and More Accurate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Historically scientists constructed phylogenies of birds by identifying shared physical traits; if two birds had similar beak shapes or vocal organ structures, it was inferred that they were closely related. But those kinds of inferences could be false due to convergent evolution. With the advent of modern genetic analysis techniques in the 1970s and 80s, scientists began looking for shared DNA sequences instead, which proved to be a far more accurate way of determining which birds are close evolutionary relatives. DNA sequencing also provides scientists with thousands of times more data, which means evolutionary comparisons can be conducted at much larger scales\u2014resulting in larger and more accurate phylogenies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"phylogeny-quiz\">Take the Quiz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tap or click an image to reveal the answer. (Illustrations are not to scale.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz\">\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question1\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Chimney Swift?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer1-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer1-1\" value=\"Chimney Swift\" disabled\/><span>Chimney Swift<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"571\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chimney-Swift-Alex-Mascarell-llosa-353056791.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a gray bird in flight\" class=\"wp-image-63563\" style=\"width:auto;height:275px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chimney-Swift-Alex-Mascarell-llosa-353056791.jpg 571w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chimney-Swift-Alex-Mascarell-llosa-353056791-480x841.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer1-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer1-2\" value=\"Northern Rough-winged Swallow\"\/><span>Northern Rough-winged Swallow<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"617\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Rough-winged-Swallow-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353059671.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a gray\/brown bird in flight\" class=\"wp-image-63565\" style=\"width:auto;height:275px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Rough-winged-Swallow-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353059671.jpg 617w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Rough-winged-Swallow-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353059671-480x778.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer1-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer1-3\" value=\"Ruby-throated Hummingbird\"\/><span>Ruby-throated Hummingbird<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"725\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-throated-Hummingbird-Dave-Nurney-152829501-2.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a bright green bird with a red neck, long bill, and paler abdomen.\" class=\"wp-image-63605\" style=\"width:auto;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-throated-Hummingbird-Dave-Nurney-152829501-2.jpg 725w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-throated-Hummingbird-Dave-Nurney-152829501-2-720x794.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-throated-Hummingbird-Dave-Nurney-152829501-2-480x530.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer1-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer1-4\" value=\"Leach\u2019s Storm-Petrel\"\/><span>Leach\u2019s Storm-Petrel<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Leachs-Storm-Petrel-Juan-Varela-353049701.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a dark brown bird in flight\" class=\"wp-image-63564\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Leachs-Storm-Petrel-Juan-Varela-353049701.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Leachs-Storm-Petrel-Juan-Varela-353049701-480x533.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><br><strong>ANSWER: Ruby-throated Hummingbird&nbsp;<\/strong><br>Swifts and hummingbirds look and behave very differently. Swifts are insect-eating swoopers that catch flies and airborne bugs on the wing, whereas hummingbirds are nectar-eating flower-sippers that can hover in midair. Yet swifts and hummingbirds are connected in evolution by a common ancestor and classified in the same clade.<br><br>The anatomy of swifts and hummingbirds holds clues that they\u2019re related; both birds have tiny feet covered in bare skin, and both have short, thick humerus bones in their wings that facilitate their impressive flying abilities.<br><br>Swallows and storm-petrels somewhat resemble swifts and hummingbirds, but that\u2019s a case of convergent evolution. The cigar-shaped bodies shared by swifts and swallows are favored for cutting through the air in search of prey. Storm-petrels independently evolved a favorable wing structure for hovering, though in the case of storm-petrels they hover to snatch zooplankton off the surface of the sea.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question2\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Downy Woodpecker?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer2-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer2-1\" value=\"Downy Woodpecker\" disabled\/><span>Downy Woodpecker<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"326\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Downy-Woodpecker-Ian-Willis-151453851.jpg\" alt=\"Downy Woodpecker\" class=\"wp-image-63541\" style=\"width:auto;height:225px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer2-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer2-2\" value=\"Hairy Woodpecker\"\/><span>Hairy Woodpecker<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"424\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Hairy-Woodpecker-Ian-Willis-151454081.jpg\" alt=\"Hairy Woodpecker\" class=\"wp-image-63542\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer2-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer2-3\" value=\"Lesser Spotted Woodpecker\"\/><span>Lesser Spotted Woodpecker<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"358\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Lesser-Spotted-Woodpecker-Ian-Willis-151453681.jpg\" alt=\"Lesser Spotted Woodpecker\" class=\"wp-image-63543\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer2-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer2-4\" value=\"White-headed Woodpecker\"\/><span>White-headed Woodpecker<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"433\" height=\"737\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/White-headed-Woodpecker-Ian-Willis-151454331.jpg\" alt=\"White-headed Woodpecker\" class=\"wp-image-63544\" style=\"width:auto;height:250px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker<\/strong><br>It\u2019s easy to confuse a Downy and a Hairy Woodpecker at a bird feeder; the Downy looks like a black-and-white <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/are-woodpeckers-evolving-to-look-like-each-other-a-new-study-says-yes\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"39973\">mini-doppelganger<\/a> of the Hairy. For many years scientists were confused, too\u2014as Downy and Hairy Woodpecker were classified as close relatives, both considered to be members of the genus <em>Dryobates<\/em>. But it turns out, that perfect matching plumage is another case of convergent evolution.<br><br>The Downy likely evolved feather patterns to make it look like a Hairy so it can confuse predators or competitors for food. By looking like the bigger Hairy Woodpecker, the Downy gains a bit of dominance advantage in the pecking order with other birds.<br><br>Recent molecular DNA research has revealed that Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers split apart about 6.5 million years ago. The Downy belongs to a clade that includes Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (which ranges across Europe, Asia, and North Africa), while the Hairy is in a clade with other American woodpeckers like White-headed and Red-cockaded that, somewhat strangely, bear little family resemblance.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question3\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Peregrine Falcon?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer3-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer3-1\" value=\"Peregrine Falcon\" disabled\/><span>Peregrine Falcon<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Peregrine-Falcon-Hilary-Burn-151443511.jpg\" alt=\"Peregrine Falcon\" class=\"wp-image-63547\" style=\"width:auto;height:240px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer3-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer3-2\" value=\"Sharp-shinned Hawk\"\/><span>Sharp-shinned Hawk<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"525\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sharp-shinned-Hawk-Alan-Harris-353062331-1.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a steel-gray bird with orange and white patterned underside, gray and black stiped tail, gray cap, red eye and a short, sharp bill.\" class=\"wp-image-63589\" style=\"width:auto;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sharp-shinned-Hawk-Alan-Harris-353062331-1.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sharp-shinned-Hawk-Alan-Harris-353062331-1-480x456.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer3-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer3-3\" value=\"Osprey\"\/><span>Osprey<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"849\" height=\"837\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Osprey-Lluis-Sanz-151481561.jpg\" alt=\"Osprey\" class=\"wp-image-63546\" style=\"width:auto;height:220px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Osprey-Lluis-Sanz-151481561.jpg 849w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Osprey-Lluis-Sanz-151481561-720x710.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Osprey-Lluis-Sanz-151481561-768x757.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Osprey-Lluis-Sanz-151481561-480x473.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 849px) 100vw, 849px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer3-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer3-4\" value=\"Red-lored Parrot\"\/><span>Red-lored Parrot<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"564\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-lored-Parrot-Norman-Arlott-Arlott-151438681.jpg\" alt=\"Red-lored Parrot\" class=\"wp-image-63548\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-lored-Parrot-Norman-Arlott-Arlott-151438681.jpg 564w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-lored-Parrot-Norman-Arlott-Arlott-151438681-480x729.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: Red-lored Parrot<\/strong><br>Twenty years ago, most taxonomists thought that falcons, hawks, and other birds of prey were closely related. But recent DNA analyses support the classification of falcons in a separate clade from hawks and eagles.<br><br>In fact, scientists now know falcons are more closely related to parrots than to any other bird of prey. Falcons and parrots share some features of skeletal anatomy that are likely a vestige of a common ancestry before they split around 68 million years ago.<br><br>Hawks and Osprey are more closely related to owls, hoopoes, motmots, and hornbills than they are to falcons.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question4\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Western Tanager?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer4-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer4-1\" value=\"Western Tanager\" disabled\/><span>Western Tanager<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1178\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153234991.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration pf a bright yellow and black bird with an orange-red head.\" class=\"wp-image-63571\" style=\"width:auto;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153234991.jpg 1178w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153234991-720x421.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153234991-768x449.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Western-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153234991-480x280.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1178px) 100vw, 1178px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer4-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer4-2\" value=\"Northern Cardinal\"\/><span>Northern Cardinal<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"909\" height=\"971\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153235471-colorcorrect.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a red bird with crested head and black mask.\" class=\"wp-image-63573\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153235471-colorcorrect.jpg 909w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153235471-colorcorrect-720x769.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153235471-colorcorrect-768x820.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Northern-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153235471-colorcorrect-480x513.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 909px) 100vw, 909px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer4-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer4-3\" value=\"Brazilian Tanager\"\/><span>Brazilian Tanager<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Brazilian-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153324471-colorcorrect.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-63572\" style=\"width:auto;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Brazilian-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153324471-colorcorrect.jpg 1119w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Brazilian-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153324471-colorcorrect-720x528.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Brazilian-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153324471-colorcorrect-768x563.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Brazilian-Tanager-Hilary-Burn-153324471-colorcorrect-480x352.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer4-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer4-4\" value=\"Red-crested Cardinal\"\/><span>Red-crested Cardinal<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1201\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-crested-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153330051-colorcorrect.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a gray and white bird with a red head, with crest, and a conical pale yellow bill\" class=\"wp-image-63574\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-crested-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153330051-colorcorrect.jpg 1201w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-crested-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153330051-colorcorrect-720x600.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-crested-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153330051-colorcorrect-768x639.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Red-crested-Cardinal-Brian-Small-153330051-colorcorrect-480x400.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: Northern Cardinal<\/strong><br>For years, the Western Tanager and other North American birds with tanager names\u2014like Scarlet and Summer Tanager\u2014were thought to be northern representatives of the diverse true tanager clade, which is centered in Central and South America. Recent DNA analyses have revealed, however, that North American tanagers are in fact members of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/browse\/taxonomy\/Cardinalidae\">cardinal family<\/a> (Cardinalidae).<br><br>The true tanagers are in the Thraupidae family, which includes hundreds of colorful birds such as the Brazilian Tanager and the Seven-colored Tanager. Interestingly, a bird called the Red-crested Cardinal in South America\u2014and several other red-crested, seemingly cardinal relatives of that continent\u2014are also in the tanager family.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question5\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Eastern Meadowlark?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer5-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer5-1\" value=\"Eastern Meadowlark\" disabled\/><span>Eastern Meadowlark<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"861\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Eastern-Meadowlark-Tim-Worfolk-153220501.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a yellow, black and brown patterned bird with long legs and a black and white striped head.\" class=\"wp-image-63576\" style=\"width:auto;height:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Eastern-Meadowlark-Tim-Worfolk-153220501.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Eastern-Meadowlark-Tim-Worfolk-153220501-720x583.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Eastern-Meadowlark-Tim-Worfolk-153220501-768x621.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Eastern-Meadowlark-Tim-Worfolk-153220501-480x388.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1064px) 100vw, 1064px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer5-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer5-2\" value=\"Yellow-throated Longclaw\"\/><span>Yellow-throated Longclaw<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"889\" height=\"721\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Yellow-throated-Longclaw-by-Ren-Hathaway-153576871.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a yellow, brown and black patterned bird with long legs.\" class=\"wp-image-63578\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Yellow-throated-Longclaw-by-Ren-Hathaway-153576871.jpg 889w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Yellow-throated-Longclaw-by-Ren-Hathaway-153576871-720x584.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Yellow-throated-Longclaw-by-Ren-Hathaway-153576871-768x623.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Yellow-throated-Longclaw-by-Ren-Hathaway-153576871-480x389.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 889px) 100vw, 889px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer5-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer5-3\" value=\"Chestnut-headed Oropendola\"\/><span>Chestnut-headed Oropendola<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"893\" height=\"919\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chestnut-headed-Oropendola-Tim-Worfolk-153221241.jpg\" alt=\"Black bird with a brown head and vent, large white bill, yellow under-tail feathers, and two head plumes.\" class=\"wp-image-63575\" style=\"width:auto;height:220px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chestnut-headed-Oropendola-Tim-Worfolk-153221241.jpg 893w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chestnut-headed-Oropendola-Tim-Worfolk-153221241-720x741.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chestnut-headed-Oropendola-Tim-Worfolk-153221241-768x790.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Chestnut-headed-Oropendola-Tim-Worfolk-153221241-480x494.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 893px) 100vw, 893px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer5-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer5-4\" value=\"Horned Lark\"\/><span>Horned Lark<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"988\" height=\"654\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Horned-Lark-Tim-Worfolk-153096601.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a brown\/beige and white bird with black and yellow face markings and feathers that look like horns.\" class=\"wp-image-63577\" style=\"width:auto;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Horned-Lark-Tim-Worfolk-153096601.jpg 988w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Horned-Lark-Tim-Worfolk-153096601-720x477.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Horned-Lark-Tim-Worfolk-153096601-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Horned-Lark-Tim-Worfolk-153096601-480x318.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: Chestnut-headed Oropendola<\/strong><br>When digging into avian phylogeny, it turns out a meadowlark isn\u2019t a lark\u2014it\u2019s a blackbird.<br><br>Eastern and Western Meadowlarks are actually more closely related to Red-winged Blackbirds and grackles (in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/browse\/taxonomy\/Icteridae\">family Icteridae<\/a>) than to the Horned Larks that also occupy open-country grasslands in North America.<br><br>Icterids are particularly diverse in South America, where another meadowlark relative can be found. The Chestnut-headed Oropendola is a large bird of tropical forests from Mexico to Ecuador that sports an impressive casque, an extension of its ivory-colored bill that reaches up to the forehead.<br><br>The Horned Lark is the only regularly occurring bird in the Americas from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/browse\/taxonomy\/Alaudidae\">Alaudidae family<\/a>, which includes so-called true larks such as the Eurasian Skylark and the bushlarks of Southeast Asia. The Yellow-throated Longclaw is a meadowlark look-alike that lives in Africa and is classified in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/guide\/browse\/taxonomy\/Motacillidae\">family Motacillidae<\/a>, which includes wagtails and pipits (including the American Pipit).<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question6\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the American Goldfinch?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer6-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer6-1\" value=\"American Goldfinch\" disabled\/><span>American Goldfinch<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"744\" height=\"604\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/American-Goldfinch-Hilary-Burn-153702231.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of yellow bird with a black cap and black and white wings.\" class=\"wp-image-63579\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/American-Goldfinch-Hilary-Burn-153702231.jpg 744w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/American-Goldfinch-Hilary-Burn-153702231-720x585.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/American-Goldfinch-Hilary-Burn-153702231-480x390.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer6-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer6-2\" value=\"Saffron Finch\"\/><span>Saffron Finch<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"961\" height=\"798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Saffron-Finch-Brian-Small-153327251.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a yellow bird with a wash of orange on the forehead\" class=\"wp-image-63581\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Saffron-Finch-Brian-Small-153327251.jpg 961w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Saffron-Finch-Brian-Small-153327251-720x598.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Saffron-Finch-Brian-Small-153327251-768x638.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Saffron-Finch-Brian-Small-153327251-480x399.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 961px) 100vw, 961px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer6-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer6-3\" value=\"Verdin\"\/><span>Verdin<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"421\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Verdin-Norman-Arlott-Arlott-153093751.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a gray bird with a yellow head.\" class=\"wp-image-63582\" style=\"width:auto;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Verdin-Norman-Arlott-Arlott-153093751.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Verdin-Norman-Arlott-Arlott-153093751-480x289.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer6-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer6-4\" value=\"Iiwi\"\/><span>Iiwi<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"869\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IIwi-Doug-Pratt153181411.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a red bird with black and white wings and a curved orange bill.\" class=\"wp-image-63580\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IIwi-Doug-Pratt153181411.jpg 869w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IIwi-Doug-Pratt153181411-720x555.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IIwi-Doug-Pratt153181411-768x592.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IIwi-Doug-Pratt153181411-480x370.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 869px) 100vw, 869px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: Iiwi<\/strong><br>The American Goldfinch\u2014a true finch of the family Fringillidae\u2014 is one of the most common birds seen at backyard feeders around North America. People love goldfinches because of the breeding male\u2019s stunning black-and-yellow plumage.<br><br>The Saffron Finch, which ranges from Colombia to Argentina, shares many of the goldfinch\u2019s physical features, but it\u2019s not a true finch (surprise, it\u2019s also a member of the South American tanager family). The Verdin is the only North American member of the Remizidae family, which includes the so-called penduline-tits (like Chinese Penduline-Tit and Yellow Penduline-Tit) that are otherwise all found in Eurasia and Africa.<br><br>Meanwhile, the spectacular honeycreepers of the Hawaiian Islands\u2014including the blazing red Iiwi\u2014are alongside goldfinches in the Fringillidae family. An ancestor of the Iiwi is thought to have arrived on the islands from Asia about 5 to 7 million years ago, and relatively rapid evolution turned that ancestor into dozens of Hawaiian honeycreeper species.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question7\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Kagu?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer7-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer7-1\" value=\"Kagu\" disabled\/><span>Kagu<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1113\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kagu-Lluis-Sanz-153399481.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a pale gray bird with an orange bill and legs and a red eye\" class=\"wp-image-63584\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kagu-Lluis-Sanz-153399481.jpg 1113w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kagu-Lluis-Sanz-153399481-720x647.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kagu-Lluis-Sanz-153399481-768x690.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kagu-Lluis-Sanz-153399481-480x431.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1113px) 100vw, 1113px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer7-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer7-2\" value=\"Sunbittern\"\/><span>Sunbittern<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1237\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sunbittern-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353061461.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a orange, gray, brown and black patterned bird with a long bill, black and white striped face and red eye\" class=\"wp-image-63585\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sunbittern-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353061461.jpg 1237w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sunbittern-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353061461-720x582.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sunbittern-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353061461-768x621.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sunbittern-Alex-Mascarell-Llosa-353061461-480x388.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1237px) 100vw, 1237px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer7-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer7-3\" value=\"Sungrebe\"\/><span>Sungrebe<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"487\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sungrebe-lluis-Sanz-152817471.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a brown and white duck-shaped bird with a white and black striped head and neck, and yellow and black legs and feet.\" class=\"wp-image-63586\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sungrebe-lluis-Sanz-152817471.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sungrebe-lluis-Sanz-152817471-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sungrebe-lluis-Sanz-152817471-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer7-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer7-4\" value=\"Capped Heron\"\/><span>Capped Heron<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"452\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Capped-Heron-Francesc-Jutglar-152811381.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a tall, pale gray and beige bird with a black cap, a turquoise bill and face, and long legs.\" class=\"wp-image-63583\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: Sunbittern<\/strong><br>The Kagu is one of the oddest-looking birds in the world\u2014a large flightless species that can perform an impressive spread-wing display to show off boldly patterned wing feathers. A flashy display with flared wings is also a habit of their evolutionary cousin, the Sunbittern.<br><br>Kagu are an isolated island endemic species on New Caledonia, an archipelago about 900 miles off the eastern coast of Australia. Sunbitterns, meanwhile, live on the other side of the world, in a range that stretches from northern Central America to Brazil. Both species are also somewhat isolated on the avian evolutionary tree as the only members of their respective families (Rhynochetidae for Kagu, and Eurypygidae for Sunbittern).<br><br>Their evolutionary connection goes back to a prehistoric common ancestor that lived on the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. After the supercontinent broke apart and that ancestor died off (along with most of its relatives), the Kagu was left stranded on remote islands in the South Pacific, and Sunbittern in the forested heart of Central and South America.<br><br>The Sungrebe (which isn\u2019t really a grebe) and Capped Heron are also evolutionary oddballs, the sole members of their own genera\u2014<em>Heliornis <\/em>for the former and <em>Pilherodius <\/em>for the latter.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n\n\n\n<fieldset class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-question quiz-question-group\" id=\"question8\"><legend class=\"quiz-question\"><span>Who is the closest relative of the Tawny-crowned Honeyeater?<\/span><\/legend><div class=\"quiz-answers\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer quiz-disabled\"><label for=\"answer8-1\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer8-1\" value=\"Tawny-crowned Honeyeater\" disabled\/><span>Tawny-crowned Honeyeater<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"823\" height=\"868\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tawny-crowned-Honeyeater-Tim-Worfolk-153042881-drk.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a brown and beige patterned bird with yellow wing feathers, a white underside, orangey cap, thick black stripes across the eye, and a long-black, curved bill.\" class=\"wp-image-63594\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tawny-crowned-Honeyeater-Tim-Worfolk-153042881-drk.jpg 823w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tawny-crowned-Honeyeater-Tim-Worfolk-153042881-drk-720x759.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tawny-crowned-Honeyeater-Tim-Worfolk-153042881-drk-768x810.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Tawny-crowned-Honeyeater-Tim-Worfolk-153042881-drk-480x506.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 823px) 100vw, 823px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer8-2\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer8-2\" value=\"Cape Sugarbird\"\/><span>Cape Sugarbird<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1132\" height=\"1232\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cape-Sugarbird-Ian-Lewington-153157241-CROP.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a gray bird with a white and gray patterned underside, cinnamon-colored collar, long, curved bill and a very long tail.\" class=\"wp-image-63602\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cape-Sugarbird-Ian-Lewington-153157241-CROP.jpg 1132w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cape-Sugarbird-Ian-Lewington-153157241-CROP-720x784.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cape-Sugarbird-Ian-Lewington-153157241-CROP-768x836.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cape-Sugarbird-Ian-Lewington-153157241-CROP-480x522.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1132px) 100vw, 1132px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer answer-correct\"><label for=\"answer8-3\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer8-3\" value=\"White-fronted Chat\"\/><span>White-fronted Chat<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"784\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/White-fronted-Chat-Chris-Rose-153043141.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a white, gray and black bird with a yellow-orange eye and thin, short black, beak.\" class=\"wp-image-63590\" style=\"width:auto;height:170px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/White-fronted-Chat-Chris-Rose-153043141.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/White-fronted-Chat-Chris-Rose-153043141-720x664.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/White-fronted-Chat-Chris-Rose-153043141-768x708.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/White-fronted-Chat-Chris-Rose-153043141-480x443.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-quiz-answer quiz-answer\"><label for=\"answer8-4\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"answer8-4\" value=\"Ruby-topaz Hummingbird\"\/><span>Ruby-topaz Hummingbird<\/span><\/label>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"559\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-topaz-Hummingbird-Hilary-Burn-153371161.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a dark, brown bird with orange tail feathers, a yellow throat and a red cap and neck.\" class=\"wp-image-63588\" style=\"width:auto;height:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-topaz-Hummingbird-Hilary-Burn-153371161.jpg 559w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Ruby-topaz-Hummingbird-Hilary-Burn-153371161-480x567.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"quiz-explanation\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"><p><strong>Answer: White-fronted Chat<\/strong><br>Nectar-feeding birds the world over provide an excellent case study of convergent evolution\u2014hummingbirds, sugarbirds, sunbirds, honeyeaters, and honeycreepers have all evolved remarkably similar-looking long bills adapted for poking into flowers. Yet these five families of birds all come from far-flung regions of the avian phylogeny.<br><br>The nearly 200 species of the honeyeater family (Meliphagidae, which includes Tawny-crowned Honeyeater) live in Australia and islands of the surrounding region. Also in Australia lives another bird called the White-fronted Chat\u2014which doesn\u2019t resemble a honeyeater much at all. White-fronted Chats are hardcore insectivores that only occasionally visit flowers. Notably, White-fronted Chats have brush-tipped tongues like honeyeaters and other nectarivorous birds (the better for slurping up nectar).<br><br>It turns out the White-fronted Chat is a long-lost honeyeater relative, and the brush-tipped tongue is a vestige of its nectar-sipping evolutionary history.<\/p><\/div><\/fieldset>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group well-gray is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phylogeny and Evolutionary Biology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"644\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Related-species-globalmap-2-1280x644.jpg\" alt=\"A global map with a yellow-to-green-yo-blue key with blue representing areas with distantly related birds and yellow, areas with closely related birds.\" class=\"wp-image-63604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Related-species-globalmap-2-1280x644.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Related-species-globalmap-2-720x362.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Related-species-globalmap-2-768x386.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Related-species-globalmap-2-480x241.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Related-species-globalmap-2.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Blue arrow:<\/strong> In areas with stable climates, bird-species composition tends to include a variety of distant relatives. <strong>Yellow arrow:<\/strong> In areas with harsh climates, the local groups of bird species tend to be closely related. <em>Map from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.1101\/2024.05.20.595017v1\">McTavish et al.<\/a><\/em>, used with permission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Phylogenies can reveal how evolution plays out across space and time. For example, a geographic analysis of bird distributions ranked by their evolutionary relationships reveals that close relatives tend to be clustered together in their own groups in harsh climates and at high elevations (likely because these closely related birds all have traits that allow them to survive where other birds can\u2019t). On the other hand, stable climates seem to support a wider diversity of evolutionary lineages, resulting in communities of birds with more distantly related species.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group well-gray is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eliot Miller is an evolutionary biologist who leads the BirdsPlus Index at the American Bird Conservancy. He previously worked at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, conducting evolutionary ecology research and helping to develop the automated sound identification technology for the Merlin Bird ID app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Open Tree of Life Project <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"218\" height=\"110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutbirds.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/OpenTreeofLifeLOGO.jpg\" alt=\"Tree of Life logo\" class=\"wp-image-63601\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Open Tree of Life is an NSF-funded collaboration among several scientific institutions to create a dynamic, digital, and freely available phylogeny for all of the world\u2019s organisms. Currently led by the University of California Merced and the University of Kansas, the project aims to build a comprehensive and continually updated evolutionary tree that\u2019s posted online so scientists anywhere can easily access it. So far the Open Tree represents 2.4 million species including plants, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and a complete evolutionary tree of all the world\u2019s birds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-sand-neutral-shade-2-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-warm-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-649597d77adbda1dcc8f8853cacfb9ee wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Illustrations from Lynx Edicions. First panel: Chimney Swift and Northern Rough-winged Swallow by Alex Mascarell Llosa; Leach\u2019s Storm-Petrel by Juan Varela; Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Dave Nurney. Second panel: all illustrations by Ian Willis. Third panel: Peregrine Falcon by Hilary Burn; Sharp-shinned Hawk by Alan Harris; Osprey by Lluis Sanz; Red-lored Parrot by Norman Arlott. Fourth panel: Western Tanager and Brazilian Tanager by Hilary Burn; Northern Cardinal and Red-crested Cardinal by Brian Small. Fifth panel: Eastern Meadowlark, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, and Horned Lark by Tim Worfolk; Yellow-throated Longclaw by Ren Hathaway. Sixth panel: American Goldfinch by Hilary Burn; Saffron Finch by Brian Small; Verdin by Norman Arlott, Iiwi by Doug Pratt. Seventh panel: Kagu and Sungrebe by Lluis Sanz; Sunbittern by Alex Mascarell Llosa; Capped Heron by Francesc Jutglar. Eighth panel: Tawny-crowned Honeyeater by Tim Worfolk; Cape Sugarbird by Ian Lewington; White-fronted Chat by Chris Rose; Ruby-topaz Hummingbird by Hilary Burn. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.wp-block-birdpress-quiz .quiz-question { font-size: 1.375rem; }\n<\/style>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Not everything is quite as it seems when it comes to evolution. 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