Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Killdeer and Hatchling

 Mama Killdeer

My husband and I were driving down a dirt road when we spotted a family of killdeer  hanging around a huge puddle in the middle of the road.

 Baby killdeer

Mama wouldn't let me near her baby so this is a severely cropped photo.

 Mama looking after baby

Mama sent Baby into the nearby tall grass to hide. They called to each other constantly. After a short while Mama checked to make sure Baby was really okay.

Daddy killdeer

Meanwhile Daddy pretended he was hurt to divert my attention.  I've seen this before so knew it was a trick.  And, yes, I did see him walk away when he realized I was leaving the scene.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

How clever, beautiful shots of a beautiful little family!

Giga said...

Parents are very caring and it's wonderful. The birds are beautiful. Greetings.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Interesting pictures, particularly the "broken wing" trick. I can't help thinking that Killdeer and Hatchling sound like a law firm.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

These are wonderful shots and you were fortunate to see the young one een at a distance.

ADRIAN said...

Interesting. I have seen several birds doing the broken wing trick. Plovers often do it here. I find it quite comical.

Blogoratti said...

Really delightful photos.

chica said...

Lindas fotos e momentos! bjs, chica

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

We have killdeer here and they are quite entertaining. I try and not stress them out too much.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Goodness! I did not realise birds did that EG, that's what I love about blogging,you find out amazing new things :)

Anvilcloud said...

With that fake injury, Daddy Kildeer could play soccer.

Gill - That British Woman said...

they are funny little birdies, but what they do, does indeed work........

Kathy said...

Ah, what a sweet little family. That was probably baby's first foray out of the nest.

Rohrerbot said...

Great reaction by the parents if you get too close:) this is a bird I sometimes take for granted because they seem to be everywhere but they are still very cool!

Divers and Sundry said...

Your timing was perfect! What a treat to happen upon this little family with them all together like that. :)

MadSnapper said...

I love the daddy and his antics. we had baby wood ducks in out pool, the mother did the same thing as this daddy, she was flapping and dragging all over the yard, trying to lure us away. the word for the baby killdear is whatever is beyond adorable. that is the cutest baby ever

VP said...

Love the 'realistic' captions even more than the excellent photos!

Mary Hone said...

That baby is so dang cute. That's the same dance the sage grouse gave me the other day.

Linda W. said...

Awww....the baby kildeer is a cutie!

Sylvia K said...

Ah, such a cutie the baby is indeed!! What a great family and that's the first of these birds that I have seen! I do love your captures as always and they are always amazing!! Thanks for sharing -- yes, as always!! Hope your week is going well!!

William Kendall said...

It's a clever behavioural adaptation. I didn't know the fathers had that much involvement, so that is a surprise.

I have seen killdeer mothers do that, and while I've seen the nest, I've never seen young killdeers.

Lowell said...

Great post. I love daddy trying to trick you! Fascinating!

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

I don't think I have ever seen young ones before but I have seen the faking hurt scene.

RedPat said...

I love to hear the kildeers and I've seen that broken wing trick before too! They are like little male soccer players faking injuries - the women don't do that! ;-))

Halcyon said...

Smart birds!

Rose said...

I love how they try to trick us...they sure put on a good act.

That baby is just simply adorable...great shots on all of these.

Revrunner said...

That last shot reminds me of some men soccer players. :-)

Unknown said...

Wonderful pictures and that 'dad' is a very clear bird..

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Cropped or not he/she is the cutest little bird ever. I love the Kildeers and have seen the routine of faking injury too, only there were no babies, just a nest full of eggs. This is a wonderful series and how fortunate you were to run across them.

Andrea @ From The Sol

mick said...

A great series of photos and especially good to get even a distant photo of the baby!

21 Wits said...

What a pretty bird!

Jenn Jilks said...

What fun!

TexWisGirl said...

i love those babies - striped cotton balls on toothpicks. :)

GreenComotion said...

Very unique, protective and smart birds, Tina!
Love those tall legs.
Water birds, are they?
Have a Wonderful Day!
Peace :)

Cloudia said...

This scene, and you care of it, touched me today!




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ALOHA
ComfortSpiral

Randy said...

The baby is too cute.

Unknown said...

Great captures! The baby is adorable.

Lea said...

Great series of photos!
Happy Wild Bird Wednesday!

Carletta said...

Love these tricksters. :) That little one is so cute.

Adam Jones said...

The little one is so cute.

eileeninmd said...

They do have interesting behavior, pretending to be hurt. Love the adorable chick and cute killdeer! Have a happy day!

Mersad said...

I just wanted to let you know that I have included your blog in my "Top 10 Wildlife Blogs You Need to Follow" List. The post is on my blog now.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Darla said...

You got some great shots of the family. I liked the daddy's trick. I wonder how they got their name.

Darla

Anonymous said...

wow- what interesting birds...and the baby kildeer has to be the cutest bird I have ever seen!

Debbie said...

gorgeous images, great sightings!!!

cieldequimper said...

Gosh you got the whole family!! That baby is sooooo cute!

Donna said...

I have never seen a baby killdeer...oh so cute!

Kay said...

We've had at least four adult killdeers hanging around on our property this year. They're beautiful birds and the chicks, as your shot shows, are cute as anything. But they make a ruckus 24/7. Seems like they've always got something to complain about!

Jack said...

What a terrific series, EG. I love the thought that dad fakes an injury to get attention away from the kids. These birds are a lot smarter than many people I know.

A Colorful World said...

That baby is one of the cutest things I've ever seen! What a great encounter! Great photos!

Susan Anderson said...

What a neat series. The baby is adorable.

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.