Little Ringed Plovers

[dlawton]

Hi Has anyone ever seen this before I take one is female and one male?
The female makes like she is nesting, (yet there was no nest and nesting is I think over)
Then the Male spreads his tail and wing feathers over the female for several mins. as though he was shading her
Never seen this behaviour before pictures attached

[Michael_A]

If they failed previously they will try again they don't actually make a nest just a scrape in the ground.

[ETJ]

This called the Scrape ceremony and the male uses it to attract a female to a potential nest site.  The male settles in to a suitable place and, leaning forward on his breast, raises his partly spread tail and flutters it back and forth and side to side while calling.  When a female approaches he stands on the rim of the 'nest' and spreads his tail as she goes under him to examine the site.  I've got some pictures of the various stages of the display which I'll upload when I get round to it.

Eric

[dlawton]

Thanks EYJ for the info, obviously I was aware of what was taking place, but I didn't know if any one else had documented this spreading of the tail, it was most fascinating to watch and if you have more pictures it would be nice to see them

Regards Dave

[ETJ]

My pictures are in the Common Birds section now.

The display is a standard part of the Little Ringed Plover's behaviour and is well documented.  But it's still good to see it actually happening!

Eric