In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, Nature London would like to challenge our sharp-eyed birders. Closely study the stylized Canadian flag below and see if you can answer the following questions:
- How many cardinals appear on the flag?[showhide type=”cardinal-count” more_text=”Hint” less_text=”Hide” hidden=”yes”]Not only would 150 be an obvious answer, it would also be incorrect.[/showhide]
- Where is the baby cardinal?[showhide type=”baby-cardinal” more_text=”Hint” less_text=”Hide” hidden=”yes”]Hungry youngsters can often be found hidden in the greenery in the accompaniment of a parent.[/showhide]
- Can you spot the impersonator (a disguised bird pretending to be a cardinal)?[showhide type=”cardinal-impostor” more_text=”Hint” less_text=”Hide” hidden=”yes”]I’m a red bird too, but I traded in my black mask for black sleeves.[/showhide]
- How many cardinals are in flight?[showhide type=”cardinal-flight” more_text=”Hint” less_text=”Hide” hidden=”yes”]This is a crazy card(inal) game.[/showhide]
- Can you locate the cardinal wearing an old McIlwraith Field Naturalists sweatshirt?[showhide type=”cardinal-logo” more_text=”Hint” less_text=”Hide” hidden=”yes”]Find me and add an extra one to your total cardinal count.[/showhide]
Click on the flag to download a full resolution (3716 x 1900) image and zoom in.
[showhide type=”answers” more_text=”Show Answers” less_text=”Hide Answers” hidden=”yes”]
The image below will help locate the following answers to the challenge.
- Q1: There are 151 cardinals on the flag.
- Q2: The baby cardinal is near the top left being fed by its mother.
- Q3: The impostor (a Scarlet Tanager wearing Groucho Marx glasses) can be found on the right hand side.
- Q4: There are 8 cardinals in flight, as in the old card game Crazy Eights. They are numbered in the picture below.
- Q5: The McIlwraith sweater-wearing cardinal is near the bottom left. If you look closely, you can faintly see a cardinal imprinted on the sweater. This is the 151st cardinal on the flag.
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