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The killdeer is a member of the plover family. It gets its scientific name, Charadruis vociferus, and its common name from its loud and raucous call. Both the male and female are frequently seen during spring and summer. Its long legs make it appear large. In actuality, a Killdeer is about the same size as a Robin.
The Killdeer spends much of its life on the ground, though it is a strong and fast flier. It can run swiftly and lures both natural enemies and humans away from its nest by feigning injury.
The mottled brown and white markings of these birds are excellent camouflage both in open fields and along rocky shores. It has a wing span of approximately 50 cm and has a long, thick beak, which it uses to forage for worms, bugs and insect larvae below the ground’s surface.
This bird usually weighs around 100 grams. The lower back and tail are an orange color. Two black bands adorn the chest. It has a white neck ring, a dark band under the eye and a brown cap. When the Killdeer is in flight, white wing stripes can be seen. The plumage is the same on both male and females year round.
Killdeers begin to appear in southern regions of Canada in mid-March. Migration does not necessarily take place in flocks. Some Killdeer travel alone or in small groups.
In early fall, Killdeer often gather in pastures and along the shores of creeks, lakes and ponds. The gathering varies in size and may include anywhere from 5 to over 100 birds. They never feed or nest in flocks. By early to mid-November, most birds have migrated to warmer climates.
Killdeer eat a wide variety of insect species and are valuable to farmers. They kill pests that endanger crops such as fruit beetles, alfalfa beetles, weevils and grasshoppers. They also dine on spiders, ants, centipedes, ticks, mosquitoes and earthworms. This helps to control disease that is carried by some of these pests. Weeds, seeds and other matter makes up only 2% of a Killdeer’s diet, which is very high in protein.
Killdeer have often chosen a mate by the time they arrive in southern Canada. The male often takes flight during courtship to show off his plumage. When courting on the ground, the male does a sort of dance from side to side. He then drops his wings to show off his colorful tail and rump. The tail is then held high and fanned to attract the female. The “kill-dee” is sounded throughout the entire courtship ritual.
Both males and females take part in the nesting procedures. Nests are always in the open where the birds have a good view of the landscape. They love to nest in pastures where cow and horse manure has been deposited in vast amounts. These birds will also nest in gravel along railroad tracks or on pebbly shores. Quarries are another favorite nesting spot.
Nests are lines with grass, woodchips and pebbles. The male scratches in the dirt to form a depression where the nest will be placed. After the nest is complete, the female lays a batch of four eggs. They are the same shape as a chicken’s egg but much smaller. The eggs are light beige and spotted with brown or black. The female arranges the eggs in a circle. The rounded end always points outward. Because of the mottled color, the eggs are well camouflaged. Either the male or female is always at the nest protecting the eggs. Fluctuations of extreme heat or cold will damage the eggs and they will not hatch. Incubation is 3 to 4 weeks. The young work for 18 to 36 hours to escape the confines of the shell once they are fully formed. The shell is then removed from the nesting area by the adult birds.
Chicks, like geese, are born covered in soft down. They have only one band across the chest and look rather odd with exceptionally long legs. Once the down is dry, the newly hatched chicks are able to forage for food within 24 hours. They grow quickly and look identical to their parents by the end of July.
Adult Killdeer protect their brood. If danger approaches, they trill a warning. The young freeze where they are until the adult birds signal “all clear.” After five weeks, the young are able to fly and the adult birds no longer care for them. The chicks reach maturity and are able to breed after one year.
Killdeer are protected by the Migratory Bird Act, which was passed in 1917. These beautiful birds cannot be hunted. Law also protects the eggs. Anyone found killing the birds, or destroying their eggs are liable to severe punishment by the courts.
Photographers and birdwatchers pursue killdeer. They make good subjects but can be a nuisance. Ever on the alert, they sound an alarm when humans approach. This warning assures that all species of birds in the area take flight. Photographers and birding enthusiasts have both been disappointed after a Killdeer sensed their presence.
Killdeer do not have a problem acquiring food because of the range of their diet. Many nests are believed to be destroyed each year by humans and domestic animals. Since Killdeer are ground-nesting, they are especially susceptible to predators such as hawks, foxes, dogs, cats, rats and wolves. The camouflage of both eggs and chicks is a preventative. A great many birds die while migrating. Each year lighthouses, towers and skyscrapers claim a number of these birds. They can also be blown off course by severe storms.
In order for the Killdeer population to remain stable, the same number of adult birds must return to the same area each spring. Nature had allowed for the survival of the species with the four-egg hatch each year.
The next time you are walking in an open area, such as a pebbly shore or a farm pasture, listen for the “kill-dee” call of this amazing bird. You will be delighted with the colorful plumage and delightful antics, especially if it is in the spring nesting season.
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