Many bird species choose to nest on the ground, a significant departure from the more common tree or shrub nesting. This widespread strategy is employed by diverse bird types, highlighting nature’s varied approaches to reproduction and survival.
Diverse Ground-Nesting Species
Game birds, such as quail and pheasants, frequently nest in grain fields or dense vegetation, often using shallow depressions. Quail, for instance, scratch out hollows in scattered shrubs and brambles. Pheasants also create nests in shallow holes surrounded by vegetation.
Shorebirds, including plovers, sandpipers, and avocets, commonly nest on open ground near water, such as beaches, mudflats, or tundra. Killdeer, a type of plover, are often found nesting in open landscapes like gravel parking lots or fields, even far from water. Waterfowl, such as mallards, ducks, geese, and swans, typically nest near water sources or in dense, low vegetation. Mallards often conceal their nests under overhanging grass or other plants, sometimes even in agricultural fields.
Certain songbirds choose ground sites, including larks, meadowlarks, and some sparrows like the Field Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco. Field Sparrows often build their first nest of the season on the ground in grasses, later moving to higher locations as vegetation grows. Ovenbirds are known for building domed nests on the forest floor, making them difficult to spot.
Why Birds Choose the Ground
Birds select ground nesting for several ecological and evolutionary reasons. One primary factor is the availability of suitable open habitats, such as grasslands, tundras, or beaches, where elevated nesting sites like trees are scarce or absent.
Ground nesting also offers opportunities for camouflage. Dense vegetation can provide excellent cover, making nests difficult for predators to locate. For some species, nesting on the ground provides proximity to preferred food sources, especially for young that can forage quickly after hatching. Waterfowl, for example, have precocial young that can swim and feed almost immediately, making ground nests near water advantageous.
Adapting to Ground Life
Ground-nesting birds possess specific physical and behavioral adaptations to thrive despite inherent risks. Cryptic or camouflaged plumage is a common physical adaptation for both adults and chicks, allowing them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. This camouflage is so effective that birds like the Woodcock or Nightjar can be nearly indistinguishable from leaf litter. Many species also actively select backgrounds that enhance their camouflage against predator vision.
Behavioral adaptations include distraction displays, such as the “broken-wing display,” where an adult bird feigns injury to lure predators away from the nest. This display is particularly well-known in waders and plovers. Eggs of ground-nesting birds are also often camouflaged, matching the coloration and patterns of the surrounding environment to avoid detection. Nests themselves are typically simple structures, often just a shallow depression or “scrape” lined with natural materials, which further aids in concealment.
Supporting Ground-Nesting Birds
Human awareness and responsible actions play a role in protecting ground-nesting birds. Avoiding disturbance of nesting sites is important, especially during breeding seasons, which typically run from March to August. Birds may abandon nests if disturbed, leaving eggs or chicks vulnerable to predators. Staying on marked paths in natural areas helps give these birds the space they require.
Keeping pets, particularly dogs, leashed in natural areas during nesting seasons is also important. Even if birds are not immediately visible, their highly camouflaged eggs and chicks can be difficult to spot. Supporting broader habitat conservation efforts, such as maintaining grasslands and wetlands, benefits these species by preserving their nesting grounds. Reducing pesticide use and being mindful of mowing practices in potential nesting areas can also contribute to their survival.