Spotted Sandpipers are somewhat unusual birds. The females are polyandrous: they mate with many males. Consequently, in an attempt to protect (what he thinks is) his investment, the male incubates the eggs, and protects the resulting chicks. However, he does not have to feed them, as they feed themselves from the beginning.
A Spotted Sandpiper chick wanders about looking for its own food. Its father was nearby.
This is the bird that thinks it is the chick’s father.
