Birds Killdeer

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Killdeer

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 640

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 200

 

[-ST-]

I saw another Killdeer today.

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 250

When I got a little closer, it walked away and then flopped down and started flailing like it was injured.

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 250

If a perceived predator, including humans, approach the area where the young are, the adults will begin to call with a shrill, high-pitched vocal trrrrrr.

They will then put on an amazing show, hence the “great pretender” designation from the opening paragraph.

The adults will act as though they are injured by dragging one of their wings on the ground and limping in the opposite direction.

During this show, the young will cease any movement or noise in order to allow the “broken wing” show of the parents to successfully lure the would-be predator away.

Once the predator has been lured away from the young to an acceptable distance, the “injured” adult will then have a miraculous recovery and fly away to safety, calling the entire time as if to mock the failure of the predator.
Source: https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/n...fake-injuries-protect-their-young/1657404001/

 

[-ST-]

These Killdeer remind me of @Ralph's Black-fronted Dotterel.
I haven't seen more than one at a time, so it was a treat to catch three of them in the early morning light.

• ILCE-1
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS + 2X Teleconverter
• 1,200.0 mm
• ƒ/13
• 1/1000 sec
• ISO 3200

 

[-ST-]

This Killdeer lured me away from its nest by feigning a broken wing and crying loudly.

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 4000

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 2500

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 594.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 2000

It was fine

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 2500

 

[Unframed Dave]

Nice, I was watching a house sparrow do exactly this in the middle of the road yesterday.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

feigning a broken wing

Whilst I've heard of this behaviour since for ever, nothing beats actually seeing it. For me it was a Bulbul, which was nesting in a hotel courtyard.

Birds are amazing!