Background: In most species of birds and mammals, one or both parents care for their offspring. Caring for the young may include making a nest or other shelter. It may also include feeding the young and protecting them from predators. Caring for offspring increases their chances of surviving. Birds called killdeers have an interesting way of protecting their chicks. When a predator gets too close to her nest, a mother killdeer pretends to have a broken wing. The mother walks away from the nest holding her wing as though it were injured ( Figure below ). The predator thinks she is injured and will be easy prey. The mother leads the predator away from the nest and then flies away.

Situation: Mark was pruning a tree in his yard when he heard the sound of young squirrels. He started t look for the nest but to his surprise he only saw the mother. She was in a nearby tree and the noise he heard was coming from that direction.

Question: Was Mark hearing the babies or the mother?

Situation: Mark was pruning a tree in his yard when he heard the sound of young squirrels. He started t look for the nest but to his surprise he only saw the mother. She was in a nearby tree and the noise he heard was coming from that direction.

Question: Did the mother see Mark as a friend or a preditor?

Situation: Mark was pruning a tree in his yard when he heard the sound of young squirrels. He started t look for the nest but to his surprise he only saw the mother. She was in a nearby tree and the noise he heard was coming from that direction.

Question: Was the nest near Mark or the mother?

Situation: Mark was pruning a tree in his yard when he heard the sound of young squirrels. He started t look for the nest but to his surprise he only saw the mother. She was in a nearby tree and the noise he heard was coming from that direction.

Question: Was the mother trying to draw marks attention to or away from her nest?

Situation: Mark was pruning a tree in his yard when he heard the sound of young squirrels. He started t look for the nest but to his surprise he only saw the mother. She was in a nearby tree and the noise he heard was coming from that direction.

Question: Is the mother increasing or decreasing the chances her offspring will survive?

Situation: Mark was pruning a tree in his yard when he heard the sound of young squirrels. He started t look for the nest but to his surprise he only saw the mother. She was in a nearby tree and the noise he heard was coming from that direction.

Question: Is the mother safe or in danger

Situation: As the fox entered the clearing the wild turkey noticed the predator. The hen did not run, instead she folded up her wing and hopped around as if she was injured. The fox changed directions and moved towards her. She continued to hope around making noise until the fox was close. She then flew onto the branch of a near by tree.

Question: Does the turkey see the fox as a threat or hsarmless?

Situation: As the fox entered the clearing the wild turkey noticed the predator. The hen did not run, instead she folded up her wing and hopped around as if she was injured. The fox changed directions and moved towards her. She continued to hope around making noise until the fox was close. She then flew onto the branch of a near by tree.

Question: Is the turkey alone or with young?

Situation: As the fox entered the clearing the wild turkey noticed the predator. The hen did not run, instead she folded up her wing and hopped around as if she was injured. The fox changed directions and moved towards her. She continued to hope around making noise until the fox was close. She then flew onto the branch of a near by tree.

Question: Is the turkey injured or faking?

Situation: As the fox entered the clearing the wild turkey noticed the predator. The hen did not run, instead she folded up her wing and hopped around as if she was injured. The fox changed directions and moved towards her. She continued to hope around making noise until the fox was close. She then flew onto the branch of a near by tree.

Question: Why did the fox follow the hen?

Situation: As the fox entered the clearing the wild turkey noticed the predator. The hen did not run, instead she folded up her wing and hopped around as if she was injured. The fox changed directions and moved towards her. She continued to hope around making noise until the fox was close. She then flew onto the branch of a near by tree.

Question: Do turkeys care for their young or abandon them?