WIRES carers say rescued plover chicks show how these native birds are misunderstood

THESE rescued baby plovers are in care after they were blown off the roof of a building. Looking like little “eggs on legs” the baby birds have won over their WIRES carer.

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LIKE magpies, plovers are mostly known for swooping during nesting season, but seeing their babies you would be forgiven for thinking they were the cutest birds around.

WIRES volunteer Inga Tiere currently has five of the little “eggs on legs” in her care, and said the birds were widely misinterpreted as an aggressive pest.

“Plovers aren’t as aggressive as people think; the reason they swoop you is because they are protecting their babies,” she said.

“They will give you a warning which is that screeching sound.

“They are actually a native protected species, not a pest; they are just misunderstood.”

One of the baby plovers in WIRES volunteer Inga Tiere’s care. Picture: Craig Wilson

The Glenfield resident said the chicks came into her care after they were being blown off a roof and found by staff at a nearby school.

It will be about two months before they will be ready to fly and be released back into the wild, but in the meantime they need a lot of care.

“They need to be kept warm, fed the right diet and have a pretend mum — which is a feather duster — so they can hide and be safe under mum for warmth and comfort,” she said.

“It’s time consuming taking care of them but I love doing it.”

“The general public means well, thinking the little ones need help if they’re unattended, but the parents will look after and protect them.

“Unless they’re injured it’s best to leave them alone or call WIRES as a precaution.”

While in care, a feather duster helps the chicks imitate how they would nestle under their mothers wings in the wild. Picture: Craig Wilson

WIRES chief executive officer Leanne Taylor said the organisation had received a number of calls about plovers swooping residents, and believes nesting season has started early due to the warmer winter.

“We ask the pubic to please remember that swooping is a natural behaviour for native birds such as plovers, magpies, currawongs and noisy miners to protect their eggs and their young — just like any parent,” she said.

“We urge people to understand that this behaviour is only temporary and once their chicks have ‘flown the nest’ this protective behaviour will cease.”

Ms Taylor urged residents to avoid nesting areas where possible or otherwise wear a broad rimmed hat and sunglasses or carry an open umbrella for protection.

For advice or more information, call WIRES on: 1300 094 737

If only they didn’t learn to swoop. Picture: Craig Wilson

Abandoned baby plovers need to be kept warm, fed the right diet and have a pretend mum — which is a feather duster. Picture: Craig Wilson

Described as “eggs on legs”, baby plovers give plovers a good name. Picture: Craig Wilson