Why do birds act hurt when they are attacked? How big is the biggest whale? — Cameron of Barnesville, OH

Dear Cameron,

Some birds, like killdeer, nest on the ground. This puts their nests within the easy reach of predators, like cats, who would love to eat the young birds. So, as a way of protecting their young, God gave some birds the special ability to act injured. As a predator approaches, the mother bird runs from her nest dragging a wing along the ground as though it were broken. The predator thinks she will be an easy meal, and chases her. Once she has led the predator away from her nest, the acting mother flies off. This leaves the predator confused and far away from the baby birds.