Killdeer on the Arkansas State Capitol grounds

A killdeer bird defends its ground nest on the Arkansas State Capitol grounds. The Killdeer lays its eggs in a crude shallow nest of small twigs and sticks, usually in rocky areas out in the open. Both parents take turns sitting on the eggs, which are speckled and blend into the surrounding rocks or gravel. When danger approaches they will chirp loudly while moving away from the nest, and then they will mimic an injury and make it appear they can't fly to attract the attention of the intruder. They will continue this act until the danger moves away from the nest.