Killdeer making sure I saw it and its "broken wing"
I must have been very close to the killdeer's nest because it was putting on a very convincing act, trying to distract me. It worked. I never did look for its eggs.
Leading me far away from the nest
Not quite far enough away from the nest, this killdeer was not yet ready to "magically heal."
Turned around to give us another look
I am linking to World Bird Wednesday.
wow they're clever!
ReplyDeleteand cute
in our Robinson preserve, once i walked off the path, when it first opened, before they put up signs saying stay on the path. the park ranger came and asked me to stay on the path, he said the killdeer lay there eggs in the sand and they can't be seen and that is why we can't walk there. might smash the eggs
ReplyDeleteThey so smart! You got some great shots!
ReplyDeleteThey just crack me up. The first time I saw one I thought it was really hurt. Great captures.
ReplyDeleteSmart little bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, a very convincing act.
ReplyDeleteSo I guess it was not really injured. What an interesting ruse!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite birds, always nice to see.
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to watch their "injured" routine! You got some nice shots!
ReplyDeleteI love these! Also enjoy seeing this in real life and your photos really captured the moment :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a bird smart brain...survival!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. You have opened up the world of killdeer for us! Love it!
ReplyDeleteGreat sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletethat was a fun post.
ReplyDeleteThey're certainly great actors and put on a great show.
ReplyDeleteThere eggs and ground nests are hard to spot. In this dry weather, they blend in with the environment even more.
Lovely captures!
Too bad about that wing. ;-))
ReplyDeleteAren't they the craziest birds, though? They were common in the valley where I grew up on a farm, and I see them at the edge of town where I live now. I used to spend a lot of time trying to find the nest...and often the eggs were just in a little area of gravel! (BTW...I'm fascinated that my "wild" rose is cultivated in your garden! Someone must have brought it to Mt. Emily sometime ago, because it's growing alongside the forest road now---at more than 4000 ft. in elevation.)
ReplyDeleteYou may not have found the nest, but you got a neat sequence of the 'actor'.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of a very clever bird.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the kildeer's antics. We had a kildeer nest in our pasture one year, and everytime we got near, the kildeer went into its broken wing act. Amazing how determined they are to protect their young.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the clever bird.
ReplyDeleteIt is weird that the birds pretend to be hurt when you are near. A strange but cute behavior. Great captures.
ReplyDeleteThey are really clever :) Great shots /Susanne
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of this protective behavior!
ReplyDeleteYa, a Shakespearean actor strutting his stuff?
ReplyDeleteSmart bird!
ReplyDeleteClever and ingenious.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are like it's performing for us.
RUDDY DUCK
Clever little birds for those who don't know their act:)
ReplyDeleteInteresting and very different.
ReplyDeleteSo close! Impressive! Did you change your name? Are you no longer WOW?
ReplyDeleteYou got some great shots of this fella.
ReplyDeleteWhat great captures of protecting their eggs! Never knew they did that!
ReplyDeleteBirds can play act? What I learn from your blog!
ReplyDeleteThey are such amazing birds -- great captures of his performance!
ReplyDeleteQuite a clever bird. Thanks for all the great comments. :-))
ReplyDeleteKind of an unfortunate name...
ReplyDeleteoh no, i was so upset that it was hurt, and then reading the comments say it was just an act! Oh how clever, but why is there some real blood on the wing joint? I've never heard of this, but it really is incredible!
ReplyDeleteVERY crafty, love the cheeky glint in the birds eye too!
ReplyDeleteThere were a few at the park yesterday when I went, but I didn't want to stress them by looking for the nest, although I would have LOVED a photo of the nest and eggs...but I stayed on the path and went about my business. These are great shots showing their tricks!
ReplyDeleteThey are such great birds, nice series!
ReplyDeleteThere is a nest near my brother's pond. I keep looking for it, but always get distracted by Pop's antics. Very nice pics!
ReplyDeleteOh poor little thing!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope he will be okay.
..interesting birdy tactics..
ReplyDelete