Killdeer Scandal: Fakes Injury to Collect Insurance

Okay, so a Killdeer bird fakes an injury to draw a predator away from the nest. Then when the predator is fooled, the killdeer flies off screaming "kiss my tail feathers!"
We spent over a half hour viewing this Killdeer bird going through the injury routine. He...or she...really wondered just when we would get the clue and leave already. Eventually we left, but I not before I got a lot of nice footage of the bird act. Shot at Shoreline Park in Mountain View, April 26, 2008.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Killdeer
• nest
• nesting
• birdwatching
• Shoreline
• Redwing
• blackbird

[frizzcat]

I just love the banjo tune you chose. I'm trying to learn it. Nice video too..always happy to see other birders enjoying themselves. Thanks for posting.

[CarolJWright]

I believe that tune is from the collection of music offered by iMovie. By the way, this is the only day we saw any kildeer at this location. And after egg hatching season, the area had very few birds of any kind. The grain along the road was eaten up, and they moved elsewhere. Look forward to next spring and the activity picking up there again.

[redfootwalking]

That's so funny. I see a lot of Killdear hanging out at my husband's job and my children have mistaken them for beig injured...this is so crafty...those smart birds!

[CarolJWright]

At first, we thought he was displaying to catch a mate, similar to the blackbird at the end. So we made fun of him for selecting such classy digs, the middle of a gravel road. Then we caught on to what he or she was doing. Still don't know if this is male or female behavior, or both. Think it's very noble of the bird to do that.

[CarolJWright]

Went back to same place to continue chasing the perfect shot of the Hooded Oriole. Another bird watcher showed up (can tell by the vest and "that look") and learned a lot about the hooded, and he said, "there's a Bullock's here too." Got photos of hanging nest in palm trees, now have to sort out the Hooded from Bullocks shots. Oh, guess I should have posted this under the Tall Grasses Wild Birds video...that's where the Hooded photos are.

[CarolJWright]

This is less than half the footage I have of him. Figured we predators were supposed to get "the message," so we eventually left. He/she seemed to have favorite gravel groveling points, too. The blackbird didn't make much of an impression, but can sure keep time to the music. Thanks for commenting.

[KkF00]

@CarolJWright

I think it might be both parents that do it. I saw 2 grown ups and a couple babies, and both grown ups flopped around.

[Keael]

What a sweetie bird! Thanks for this video!

[mattzilla322]

at my school i found baby killdeer and me my friend pick them up and like a month later i found it way bigger and it does the same plays dead

[150rrider13]

what if the killdeer is actually injured?? i found one that has its eye shot out or something and i don't know how to care for it. such a beautiful bird...what to do?

[razerbrax]

all summer i watched a family of killdeer hatch near by my work place. Today I was surpized to see them back, it's October, is that normal? I thought those birds flew south for the winter..

[newclips]

so cute!!!

[cuteamyn]

they arre so cute

[mooser53]

I have seen this behavior as well. Everyone needs to keep in mind that all during this time the bird is OFF of the nest. The eggs are likely either getting too hot from direct sun or too cold...... It is nice to hear the red winged black bird in the background of this video.

[komorikai]

I actually witnessed this behavior for the first time today in my back yard, and Both Males and Females do it. I noticed that the Female guards the nest, then she runs off trying to distract you while the Males swoops in. The Male was staring me down and after a few minutes, started to feign injuries as well. So I eventually walked away, only to have them do it an hour later because someone else had walked out onto my back patio.

[audiophile55]

I love watching these birds. They crack me up because those skinny legs can really move! They run so fast, and it is hilarious!