#funfactfriday Are you preparing for lots of jokes and pranks tomorrow? Did you know that humans aren't the only ones that trick and deceive others?
Adult killdeer make their nests in open rocky areas, which can leave the eggs susceptible to predators. So, if something like a coyote comes sniffing around the area, the adult killdeer will act like it is injured to lure the it away from the nest! This elaborate trick includes drooping one wing to the ground, hopping around pathetically and making very loud (and very distracting) alarm calls. As the larger animal gets fooled into following, the bird hops further and further from the nest before suddenly bursting into flight at the last second, leaving the would-be predator without any lunch at all.
Photo by Lia McKinnon