Recently one of the most unlikely of David and Goliath battles unfolded on the banks of the Sand River. A 34g creature took on a team of 6-ton beasts with nothing to defend itself but sheer defiance. Imagine the scene, a tiny Three-banded plover peering up at a hulking grey mass looming over it and not once did it consider backing down.
A Three-banded plover with two of her chicks. These youngsters will stay with their parents for about 40-42 days before becoming independent. Photograph: David Dampier
A tiny new-born Three- banded plover chick hides in the shallow indentation left by an animal’s foot. The sandy, speckled down of the chick helps to camouflage it and protect it from potential dangers. Photograph: David Dampier
Three-banded plovers usually nest in a shallow scraping on the ground, in river gravel or amongst a patch of pebbles. The eggs are therefore exposed and vulnerable but are incredibly well camouflaged by a network of brown blotches and scrawls that streak across it. A herd of elephants are certainly not attempting to attack a Three-banded plover nest purposefully but in their stiff-legged haste to reach the water, they tend to trample whatever lies in their path.
Three- banded plovers normally lay 2-3 eggs, which they will re-lay if the brood is lost. Despite being left in the open and thus exposed, the eggs are very well suited to the habitat they’re laid in and the adults protect them day and night, thus helping to ensure their survival.
My guests and I sat frozen in horror, fingers across eyes as giant feet fell over and around the nest site. The incredibly brave little bird danced at their feet, wings spread, calling furiously to try to distract the threat. It would bob its head, fan its wings and tail and hold it to one side, apparently trying to make itself look as big and intimidating as possible. Some of the elephants continued none-the-wiser while others actually flicked their trunks agitatedly at the bird. Not once did the bird fly away or abandon its nest, it only jumped to the side, as the enormous trunks and feet swept within centimeters of it.
One of the elephants that moved just mere centimeters from the plover nest. Although the elephants were unaware of the plovers presence, they came incredibly close to destroying this nesting site.
Generally, the female will tend to the incubation of the eggs during the day while the male defends their territory. Then at night the female will feed and the male will incubate the young. When it gets extremely hot, the adults will crouch over the eggs and may even soak their belly feathers in water to cool the eggs down.
A pair of newly-hatched three-banded plovers begin their lives on Londolozi. They will develop incredibly quickly and will have their first feed at just 24 hours old.
One of the chicks runs for cover in response to the alarm call of its parent. Its camouflage is so good though that sometimes it will just freeze if it is caught in the open. Photograph: David Dampier
Miraculously, this little bird managed to hold its own against these giants and as a result saved its precious brood. Two of the chicks hatched and began their journey here at Londolozi under the careful protection of, in my opinion, two of the very bravest of parents.
Written by Amy Attenborough, Londolozi Ranger
Photographed by David Dampier, Londolozi Financial Director and Jos Van Bommel, Guest
Lovely story Ams!
Brave little birds, those!
What brave little birds Amy! I’m relieved to hear that it was a happy ending to the story. Great pictures David and Jos.