Plovers

[Khandro]

I'm told that some plovers have just been spotted here in south Germany. Looking up on them, it appears they could be en route to Africa from Scandinavia, but I found in the entry in the book (Reader's Digest) a drawing entitled 'A ringed plover distracts enemy by feigning a broken wing' with no further comment. What on earth is that all about please?

[plowter]

Ringed plovers are ground nesting birds and use the 'broken wing' display to attract attention away from chicks during the breeding season.

Here's a clip from BBC iPlayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Common_Ringed_Plover#p00pyg5p

[heathfield]

Have a look here, too...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distraction_display

[Khandro]

That is really fascinating!