So this is why plovers are now choosing roofs over gardens...

Rooftops aren’t just for pigeons anymore.

Wildlife rescuer, Kelly Brett, climbed onto a TAFE roof in Hamilton, Victoria, expecting the usual ground-level rescue—but what she found surprised her.

It was a glimpse into a growing trend among Australian suburbs’ feathered residents.

Kelly Brett’s unusual rooftop mission began with the urgent squawks of a distressed parent plover near a downpipe.

She first searched all the likely ground-level spots before realising she needed to look up.

What she found were two exhausted chicks—one stuck on the roof and the other trapped in guttering—teetering dangerously close to being washed away in recent rain.

Masked lapwings adapting to urban life

Masked lapwings are now choosing not only rooftops but also parks, school ovals, sports fields, and even supermarket car parks for nesting.

This behavioural shift spans Victoria and South Australia, demonstrating how these intelligent birds adapt to urban living.

Increased disturbances from pets, pedestrians, and vehicles at ground level have pushed them upwards in search of safer nesting spots.

The resilience of plover chicks

The chicks’ leap from nest to ground was a testament to natural resilience.

Much like ducklings from tree hollows, plover chicks can survive falls from considerable heights.

North American killdeer chicks, relatives of the masked lapwing, have been documented surviving descents from seven-story buildings when encouraged by their parents.

'They're pretty padded, like little fluffy pom poms, so they can fall from a fairly high distance,' Kelly said, noting that wind and rain complicated this particular rescue.

Protective behaviour and urban adaptation

During nesting season, defensive swooping is primarily a scare tactic and usually stops once chicks can fly—around six weeks after hatching.

Their wing spurs are not poisonous, though occasional nicks can occur, so sensible precautions are still important.

A broader urban trend

This rooftop trend reflects a broader urban adaptation among masked lapwings, which thrive in arid areas, coastlines, marshland, grassland, and open spaces near dams or lakes.

Some suburban pairs may never successfully breed due to human disturbance, making rooftop nesting a strategy to protect their young while maintaining access to open territory.

Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, masked lapwings are protected, and interfering with nests or eggs without a permit is an offence.

Kelly’s rescue was necessary due to imminent danger, but most chicks can safely jump from roofs without human help.

Kelly’s experience highlighted the extraordinary lengths these 'incredible parents' go to in order to raise their families in urban environments.

Even when nests appear inconvenient, giving the birds space for a few weeks allows humans and wildlife to coexist peacefully.

If you found the story of rooftop plovers fascinating, there are other ways wildlife is adapting to human environments that are worth exploring.

From busy streets to suburban corners, young birds face new hazards as they navigate their surroundings.

One article highlights the dangers these chicks encounter and offers practical advice for keeping them safe.

Read more: New roadside threat has experts urging action: ‘Please be mindful'

Have you noticed changes in where birds are nesting in your local area?