With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are
- (a) Birds ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Primates
- (c) Reptiles
- (d) Amphibians
Why the answer is (a)
• All four are birds: the Ceylon (Sri Lanka) frogmouth is a nocturnal bird of the Western Ghats; the coppersmith barbet is a common green barbet with a metallic 'tuk-tuk' call; the grey-chinned minivet is a Himalayan cuckoo-shrike; the white-throated redstart is a Himalayan chat — option (a).
• Names like 'barbet', 'minivet' and 'redstart' are bird families; 'frogmouth' refers to the bird's wide gape, not to an amphibian.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Primates
- None of these is a primate.
- (c) Reptiles
- None of these is a reptile.
- (d) Amphibians
- 'Frogmouth' is a bird, not an amphibian.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.