Carol DM
This morning I had a first in my yard. Every now and then I hear a bird with an annoying sound called a killdeer. They are also called shore birds, mostly found around water. Very noisy birds. But they also live in pastures and fields far from water. I learned something and it has given me a higher respect for these birds. First of all my story goes like this. I kept seeing this killdeer close to the neighborhood road scurrying around and dragging his wing like he was hurt. So of course I grab my camera and go out to help. He ran out into the street dragging his wing. I kept following him and he kept making his annoying sound louder and louder. I could not get a photo as he was running too fast. I found this pixabay imgage to give you an idea of what I saw.
I thought wait a minute, many birds are laying eggs right now. Let me look to see if I can find eggs. I know they will lay their eggs on the ground with no nest. Never seen it but read about it. I looked around the gravel next to the road. Sure enough check it out, right in front of me. Four pretty big eggs. I quickly snapped a photo.
Egg Photo ©CarolDM2018
I then researched a little and found this is very normal survival skills for this bird. They will try to lure you away from their eggs or babies with this broken wing display. And they are good at it. After you’ve been fooled a time or two by the broken wing display, you don’t give the deceiving adult killdeer a second glance. Immediately, you look around for the killdeer eggs or babies.
Another amazing fact I did not know. Baby killdeer always come out running. They hatch with their eyes open, and as soon as their downy feathers dry, they start scurrying about, following their parents and searching the ground for something to eat. Newly hatched killdeer can’t fly, and they need their parents for protection, but they are a lot closer to independence than most baby birds.
I realize most of you are saying, oh bother, another bird post but I was so excited to learn something new. Especially about a bird I never gave a second glance to. If you ever see one of these birds remember this, they lay their eggs out in the open and be careful where you step. I could not get a photo of the killdeer as he scurried around so quickly. Here is a pixabay image to give you an idea of what they look like. Nature sometimes needs our help to survive.
Above photo courtesy of Pixabay
365 Photos Challenge Day 184
Thank you for the very interesting information on the killdeer. I have never seen or heard bout these birds before.
It is just that we do not understand the flora and fauna. Thanks for this.
You are welcome, thanks for reading.
I knew that birds were very imaginative in ways to protect their eggs and hatchlings. Runt is proof of that as some birds will directly attack him if he gets too close. But this type of behavior is news to me. Those eggs are so well blended in with the rocks. I just might have crushed one as I tend to look straight ahead and not on the ground. Great post. Sorry if I am late in commenting…
Sorry so late in responding. Isn’t this amazing! I can see was many eggs do not survive.
Amazing birds! Sometimes I feel that we can learn a lot about parenting from animals.
I agree Ellie, this was so bizarre to me but makes so much sense to protect their eggs.
This was new to me too, thanks for sharing such an interesting post!
And I thank you for commenting Ellie. 🙂
I learned some great interesting things about this type of bird. This type of bird is attractive in my opinion. The eggs look like the rocks so much in color.
Yes LaJenna, they search out places like this to camouflage the eggs. No nest is built.
Great post and fascinating bird behavior! I’m glad you got a photo of the eggs to share with us!
Thanks, I almost stepped on the eggs, they were hidden in the open!
Well done! Great post! I have friends who are ornithologists, and they help me : )))
Thanks, and good for you!
Nature does not stop revealing our secrets. Very cunning tactics on the part of this killer bird. I never looked for eggs, they merge with the color of the stones. Thank you for this post Carol.
Seems most others knew about the behavior but the first for me to witness, amazing.
That is a very common behavior for the male or female bird to pretend to be injured and lead you away from the hatch-lings/eggs!
Yes I keep hearing that but it is my first experience to see one pretend to be injured.
That is really cool! My father (biologist) decided one year to study red winged blackbirds, we went all over the Midwest looking for them, So I got to see that behavior a few times.
I have those in my backyard but never seen the eggs or babies.
We chased them for two different summers and found the nests (they tend to be in swampy areas.)
The female continues to sit on the eggs beside the road at the edge of my yard. Amazing.
Ohh that’s such a lovely bird! I love it!
He is different and is very loud with his high pitched sounds.
“Wow!” What a beautiful photo of the Killdeer. I wonder if the birds know that they can trust you. Lovely that you found 4 eggs.
Thanks Pamela, the killdeer was from Pixabay but the egg photo is mine. I almost stepped o the eggs.
No matter how small, parents will always protect their youngs …
Yes I realize this, and it is amazing how they do it in nature.
I never knew that either….great story, and photos. Thank you for sharing!
It was fascinating to watch Courtney after I knew what I was seeing!
There are a lot of birds that use the broken wing trick. It is dangerous but effective…
News to me this is the first time I have ever witnessed it. And yes it worked.
Male birds will do this to lead you away from the nest or a wounded female…
I know birds will lure you away but never seen the injured display.
I feel like it is fairly common behavior but I might be mistaken…
Nature is full of mysteries and wonders as this bird has a unique in maintaining life and his descendants. Wow. This is a very fascinating post!
I found it just bizarre. First of all why lay the eggs out in the open next to a road. But then the bird is smart enough to do the broken wing display. Absolutely amazing.
Since this post I have managed to get more photos I will post soon.
That’s a great idea, Carol.
Thanks, a part 2 and I hope others are interested.