#ShorebirdSunday...An interesting behaviour that many shorebirds use, which never ceases to amaze & entertain, is feigning (faking) an injury in order to distract potential predators away from nests or chicks. But why would they do this? Think about it this way…if you were really hungry & could either swipe a french fry or a burger easily, you're probably going to choose the burger, right?! That's how natural predators see it — rather than go for the small-fry of an egg or chick, it'd be better to grab a nice, big, juicy meal of an adult bird, especially if it's hurt & easier to catch than usual. But then…our cunning adult bird gives up the charade & quickly flies or runs away, leaving the predator surprised, plus far enough away, & not remembering where those consolation prizes of camouflaged eggs or chicks are anyway. Cheeky & clever! #shorebirds #waders #thickknee #dikkop #stonecurlew #burhinidae #wings #plumage #feathers #birdbehaviour #scicomm #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdtherapy #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #dunes #ShareTheShores #ThinkBeachBirds (at Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay) https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_aLPRgJcG/?igshid=127irbmhb6rdt
