What is the name of the behavior where a bird feigns injury to distract predators from its nest?

The behavior in which a bird feigns injury to lure a predator away from its nest is called a broken-wing display. It is a specialized form of distraction display, also known as injury-feigning behavior.

A parent bird may leave its nest and move conspicuously across the ground with a wing drooping or quivering, appearing to be an easy target. The predator follows the seemingly injured adult away from the eggs or chicks. Once the bird has created enough distance, it typically abandons the act and flies away.

This behavior is especially associated with ground-nesting birds, including plovers, waders, and the killdeer. It works because the predator's attention is redirected toward the adult rather than the more vulnerable nest. The display is therefore not an actual injury, although it can expose the parent to considerable danger.

“Distraction display” is the broader term: birds can also use alarm calls, rodent-like running, false brooding, or other conspicuous movements. The broken-wing display is the specific injury-feigning version, making it the best answer for this question.