Broken-wing display

Masked Lapwing or Spur-winged Plover commonly act out the broken-wing display distracting predators from the nest, here they also mobbed me and acted the false brooding, crouching on the sand as if sitting on eggs (nest would be an exaggeration). In theory, they attract predators away from the eggs or chicks.

The broken-wing display included once wing dragging on the ground but also a strange tangled-wing effect and an angel-wing effect.

I was trying to steer clear of their eggs/chicks but couldn’t tell where the pair were trying to lead me away from – that is real distraction. This dangerous behaviour occurs in a few fish species but mainly birds, as they can fly away at the last moment.