groundnesters

Ground-nesters are species that build, incubate, and raise offspring with nests situated on or very close to the ground. This strategy is common among birds and also occurs in some reptiles and small mammals. Ground nests range from simple shallow scrapes lined with vegetation to more elaborate cup-shaped or mound nests fashioned from grasses, leaves, or soil. Eggs are typically camouflaged with brown, gray, or speckled patterns to blend with the substrate. In most ground-nesting birds, the young are precocial, able to move soon after hatch, and may fledge quickly; parents guard and feed them while they remain in cover.

The term covers a wide range of taxa and habitats. In birds, shorebirds such as plovers and sandpipers, rails and crakes, and various grassland or tundra species commonly nest on the ground. Some waterfowl and forest-floor specialists also use ground nests. Ground-nesting is favored in environments where elevated sites are scarce or where concealment offers predation protection, but it increases exposure to predators, weather, and trampling.

Geographic distribution is global, from Arctic tundra to tropical grasslands and deserts. Nesting timing is often tied to seasonal resources, with cycles influenced by climate and habitat management.

Conservation concerns center on nest predation and habitat disturbance. Predators such as mammals (e.g., foxes, raccoons), feral cats, and corvids frequently target ground nests. Agricultural practices, development, and climate change can reduce nesting cover. Conservation approaches include protecting habitats, restricting disturbance during the breeding season, maintaining native vegetation structure, and, where appropriate, predator management or nest protectors.