Loud disturbing kiewiet kiewiet squawks from the yard, drove me to investigate. An adult bird came towards me separated only by the side yard fence, squawking quite hysterically – no fear, right at me!
Peering into the backyard through the fence, I saw a little creature run for about a ruler length – 30 centimetres – close to the water bowls I leave outside for my pet chicken and whichever other creature needs a drink. Different heights of containers are needed, the chicken prefers a higher water bowl so their beaks can reach best. The lower bowl however is still a good 10 centimetres high though, far too high up for a creature that’s a 7 centimetre tall egg shaped fluff ball on tiny stick legs!!
The kiewiets don’t reside in my backyard, I haven’t seen them in here before. Usually it’s the kingfisher’s hunting ground as I leave the backyard wild and close to nature versus the manicured gardens everywhere else. It’s also been really dry recently, we’re waiting for the rains. The neighbouring developments have drained this once natural wetland. Reading up, I realise that the little baby birds need to eat on wet ground, and so the bit of a splash area around the water bowls is a relatively safe water source close to the nesting area for this family of kiewiets aka blacksmith lapwing aka crowned plover bird.
The parents took off over the fence back into the neighbour’s yard, startled by me – I think. The squawking continued, and the little bird pressed itself flat into the ground. Perfectly camouflaged black brown and off-white, if I didn’t know it was there it would not have been seen. The parents went crazy, and if you didn’t know, kiewiets are extremely aggressive especially when their young are concerned. Think hair pulling, hair tearing attacks!
I picked up the creature with enough hay underneath and left it under the fence, in the neighbour’s yard where the parents were. Yes, very interfering – I do realise. I then squawked back at both parents, until the little creature got up on those tiny legs and ran away to mummy – who then calmed down and stopped their namesake “kiewiet kiewiet” squawking.
It might have been ridiculous to watch – had to be there moment!