Birds that nest on the ground and lay their eggs in grassy areas include many species of ducks, geese, plovers, quail, grouse, owls, and others. While most birds build nests up in trees or on cliffs and ledges, ground-nesting birds have adapted to make their nests on the ground, hidden amid grass and vegetation.
Ground-Nesting Birds That Lay Eggs in Grass
Some examples of birds that lay their eggs directly on the ground in grassy areas include:
- Ducks – Mallard ducks, wood ducks, blue-winged teal, and other duck species nest on the ground near water, concealing their nests in thick grass and vegetation. The female duck will line the nest with down feathers plucked from her breast to help insulate the eggs.
- Geese – Canada geese, snow geese, and other goose species build shallow nest mounds lined with grass, weeds, moss, and down feathers in which the female lays 5-10 eggs. Goose nests are typically found near water.
- Plovers – Small shorebirds like plovers and lapwings scrape out shallow depressions in sandy or gravely areas to lay their speckled eggs which blend in with the ground. Plover nests are found along beaches, grasslands, and tundra.
- Quail – Northern bobwhite quail and other quail species lay 10-20 eggs in nests woven from grasses and concealed in fields, prairies, and grassy roadside ditches across North America.
- Grouse – Prairie chickens, sage grouse, and sharp-tailed grouse all lay between 6-12 eggs in shallow depressions lined with grass and leaves on the ground in open fields and brushy areas.
- Owls – Small owl species like burrowing owls and short-eared owls nest in old burrows or hollows scraped out on the bare ground, laying up to 12 eggs.
- Sandpipers – Spotted sandpipers, killdeer, and other shorebirds lay their speckled eggs in scrapes lined with pebbles and grass stems on the ground near water.
- Boobies – Blue-footed boobies and other tropical booby species lay 1-3 eggs on the bare ground on offshore islands, relying on their dull egg coloration to camouflage the nest.
- Terns – Elegant terns, common terns, Forster’s terns and other tern species nest in colonies on sandy beaches and marshy areas, laying 1-3 eggs in shallow scrapes with little to no nesting material.
- Skimmers – Black skimmers and other skimmer species lay 3-5 eggs in shallow depressions scraped into seashell fragments, sand, and gravel on open beaches with little vegetation.
In addition to the examples above, many other birds that inhabit open grasslands, prairies, beaches, tundra, and savannas across the world lay their eggs directly on the bare ground with a little grass or leaf lining, or no nest at all.
Why Birds Lay Eggs on the Ground
There are several key reasons why certain bird species nest and lay eggs on the ground rather than up in trees or cliffs:
- Camouflage – Eggs and chicks blend in against grass, sand, gravel, and dirt, providing concealment from predators.
- Insulation – Ground absorbs and retains heat, helping keep eggs warm. Grass lining also provides insulation.
- Lack of predators – On isolated islands and tundra with no ground predators, nesting on the ground is safer.
- Habitat availability – Open country birds like prairie chickens simply lack tall trees or ledges for nest sites.
- Food availability – Ducks and geese nest near water where they feed. Shorebirds nest right on insect-rich beaches.
- Mobility – Ground nesting allows quail, grouse, and other upland gamebirds to get off the nest quickly.
- Tunnel nesting – Burrowing owls utilize abandoned burrows that provide shelter.
Ground-nesting behavior likely evolved in certain bird groups like waterfowl and upland game birds as an adaptation to nesting in wide open country that lacked elevated nest sites. Laying eggs in concealed ground nests offers protective benefits that enhance breeding success for these species.
Behaviors and Adaptations for Ground-Nesting
Ground-nesting birds exhibit several specialized behaviors and physical adaptations geared towards improving their nesting success on the ground:
- Cryptic egg coloring – Eggs are speckled or spotted to camouflage against ground debris.
- Egg turning – Parent birds regularly rotate their eggs to prevent deformities.
- Nest scraping – Shallow depressions help conceal eggs and prevent rolling.
- Nest lining – Grass, feathers, shells provide insulation and cushion eggs.
- Nest defense – Birds may utilize distraction displays or attack predators near the nest.
- Nesting in colonies – Colonies can provide group vigilance against predators.
- Rapid chick development – Precocial young can walk and feed soon after hatching.
- Brood patches – Featherless areas on the belly, chest, and sides provide insulation and warmth to eggs.
- Camouflage plumage – Female and young birds are often cryptically colored to blend into their surroundings while incubating or hiding.
Engaging in these specialized ground-nesting behaviors improves the chances of eggs surviving and hatching despite the vulnerabilities of nesting directly on the ground. Parent birds attentively incubate, tend, and protect the nest until the chicks hatch.
Challenges and Threats to Ground Nests
Despite adaptations for ground nesting, birds that lay eggs on the ground face many threats and challenges:
- Predators – Foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, and snakes commonly raid ground nests and consume eggs.
- Trampling – Ground nests can be accidentally crushed by livestock, vehicles, or people walking through the area.
- Farming – Plowing and mowing can destroy nests in fields before chicks can hatch.
- Weather – Flooding or cold snaps can kill chicks and expose eggs.
- Habitat loss – Development, logging, and agriculture reduce safe nesting habitats.
- Pollution – Pesticides and toxins can accumulate in eggs, poisoning embryo chicks.
- Invasive species – Nest parasites and predators introduced from other regions may target ground nests.
- Human disturbance – Bird colonies are highly sensitive to disruption from off-road vehicles, pets, noise, and other human intrusions.
Climate change will likely exacerbate some of these threats going forward. Conservationists promote practices like delayed mowing, predator control, and habitat protection to improve nesting success for sensitive ground-nesting species.
Examples of Ground-Nesting Birds
Mallard Duck
Mallards are one of the most common and widespread duck species in North America. They build nests on the ground near water, concealing them in thick vegetation close to food sources. The female lines the nest with down plucked from her breast and lays around 9-13 pale green eggs. She incubates them for 26-28 days while the male stays nearby to stand guard. Within hours of hatching, the ducklings follow their mother to water where they learn to feed.
Killdeer
Killdeer are plover shorebirds that lay their eggs directly on the ground in gravel, sand, or dirt. The parents may attempt to further camouflage the nest by creating scrapes surrounded by pebbles that resemble the bare ground. Clutches contain 3-6 eggs that hatch after 24-26 days. If threatened, the adult killdeer will fake a broken wing to distract predators away from the nest site.
Greater Sage-Grouse
Male greater sage-grouse perform elaborate mating dances on leks each spring to attract females. After mating, the female scrapes out a shallow nest bowl on the ground lined with grass and leaves in which she lays 6-12 eggs. Sage-grouse depend on extensive intact sagebrush habitats in western North America to conceal their ground nests from predators.
Piping Plover
Piping plovers are endangered shorebirds that nest in depressions scraped into the sand and pebbly beaches around the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Their sand-colored eggs blend in perfectly against the beach substrate. Predation, habitat loss, and disturbance threaten their ground nesting success. Conservation efforts aim to protect their breeding grounds.
Conclusion
Birds that make their nests on the ground and lay eggs amid grass, sand, gravel, or dirt face unique challenges but exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable them to breed successfully. While ground nesting poses risks from predators, trampling, and weather, for species that inhabit open country near water, it is the best strategy for concealing their eggs and raising their vulnerable chicks. Conservation of ground-nesting birds requires protecting suitable habitats and minimizing unnecessary disturbances in key nesting locations.