Killdeer - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

ORDER: Charadriiformes
FAMILY: Charadriidae (Plovers - 14 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Charadriinae
SPECIES: Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

Killdeer
The Killdeer is famous for its broken-wing act (Distraction Display). As you approach, the killdeer may suddenly develop a broken wing. It struggles in front of you, as if it can barely walk, let alone fly. As you pursue it, the killdeer leads you farther away from its nest or babies. When it determines you are far enough away from its nest, it will heal suddenly and fly off. They are the farmer's friend for the number of crop-damaging insects that they consume.
SIZE	The Killdeer is a medium-sized (8-11") long-winged shorebird.
DESCRIPTION	The Killdeer has brown back and upperparts with white underparts. They have a white forehead and white stripe behind eye with two distinct black bands cross the white upper breast. Sexes are similar in appearance.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 3-5 eggs, generally 4, which are incubated in 24 to 28 days. Their nest is a shallow depression in the ground (gravel) that is lined with nothing, except for maybe a few pebbles. The speckled eggs of the Killdeer look like small stones. The nests seem to disappear in the blend of stones and gravel.
RANGE	The breeding range is from Alaska across most of northern Canada, south to through the United States into Mexico. They also have unconnected isolated populations in Costa Rica, Peru and Chile.
HABITAT	They habitat cultivated fields, pastures, lawns, mudflats and shores.
DIET	These birds forage the fields for the crop pests -- caterpillars, ants, grasshoppers beetles, and invertebrates. They also feast on centipedes, spiders, ticks and earthworms.

INTERESTING FACTS

Fledgling

A fledgling bird is one that has recently acquired its flight feathers. It may have a short stubby tail, and a not-quite-grown look. When the fledgling leaves the nest, it is taught to learn to fly and find food, water, and shelter by its parents. If you encounter a fledgling on the ground, do nothing unless the there is an immediate danger, then place him in bushes or out of danger.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




Killdeer

Sapsucker Woods Bird Sanctuary Tompkins County, New York


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Glimmerglass State Park Otsego County, New York	Sampson State Park Seneca County, New York


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Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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Long-billed Marsh Wren Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes