Nesting Killdeer and Dancing Pigeons

TheNevadanStig · Apr 30, 2014

So apparently a nesting killdeer exhibits pretty strange behavior when guarding a nest. Me and my wife walked up to it, and it didn't fly away (they are usually fairly skittish). This one puffed up, flapped its wings without flying, and hopped around strangely in circles. I honestly thought it was injured and even started to walk up to see if I could catch it, then it flew away fine. Took a while to actually see the eggs, they really aren't easy to spot, and the birds don't seem to build any type of actual nest. Anyways, he came back and I nabbed these shots:

033 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

037 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

044 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

Also pondered why I never have shot any pigeons before.

056 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

057 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

I MUST DANCE!!!!

060 by TheNevadanStig, on Flickr

JacaRanda · Apr 30, 2014

Nice shots again of the Killdeer. They are rather funny. If you get a chance to see the chicks when they are getting around, the mom or dad will pretend to be injured in order to draw your (predator) attention away from the babies. Very entertaining.

The dancing pigeon is cool too

TheNevadanStig · Apr 30, 2014

JacaRanda said:
Nice shots again of the Killdeer. They are rather funny. If you get a chance to see the chicks when they are getting around, the mom or dad will pretend to be injured in order to draw your (predator) attention away from the babies. Very entertaining.

The dancing pigeon is cool too

That must have been exactly what he was doing with the eggs. I swore he was hurt. I'm just glad I didn't accidentally step on the eggs chasing a lier of a bird down the beach.

Raj_55555 · May 1, 2014

Great shots again. I really love that last one, we've a lot of pigeons here but are very camera shy. They'll fly away as soon as I remove the lens cover.

nzmacro · May 1, 2014

So good. That Killdeer, thanks for the info in the other thread Jason, a great read. Its a beauty and one that would be great to see, excellent shots and the nest is a huge bonus with the eggs. Well done. Great shots of the Pigeons as well and I've only ever taken a few shots of them, maybe more is in order Jason. Nice sheen from the lighting on those. Good BIF's.

All the best Jason, nice work.

Danny.