Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Killdeer

The killdeer is a common plover that breeds through out much of North America. Killdeer that breed in the northern portion of their range, Canada and the northern US, migrate south for the winter. Some killdeer migrate into the southern United States and Mexico and some continue south down into Central America and northern portions of South America. The killdeer is named because of its shrill call which sounds like they are saying kill-deer.
Although they are a plover they are often found far away from water. They are found in a variety of habitat and have adapted very well to humans. The bird in the first picture made its nest in the side of a gravel road. Fortunately it was in a wildlife refuge so the area was roped off to avoid an accident with a car. Other common places that you can see killdeer include parks, ball fields, low farm fields, yards and golf courses. Killdeer are known for faking a wing injury to lure predators away from their nest or young. Since they consider us predators I have seen this behavior on a few occasions, but since I do not intend to eat the bird it does not quite work correctly. Instead I look for the chick because they are quite photogenic. 




13 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

love these guys. their babies are like striped cottonballs on toothpicks. :)

Roger Owen Green said...

such an odd name. sweet thing would not even HURT a deer.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

i stora drag said...

How sweet this little one was!
Nice to see your photos!
Greetings Pia

Carletta said...

One of my favorite birds. A couple of years ago one nested in the middle of my neighbor's driveway. This summer while getting my Jeep fixed I found a nest in the car repair shops gravel parking lot.
They sure don't always pick good nesting places.
Sweet shots!

Backyard Bird Paradise said...

See these on the golf course sometimes protecting their nest here in Mighigan during summer. They almost seem intimidating when a golfer gets to close. I have seen them chase people away and its funny to watch such a small bird chase adult men golfers away from the nest. Looks like they have been starting to migrate south as of late though.

mick said...

Interesting bird and great that you were able to get photos of the chick as well.

theconstantwalker said...

Lovely little birds and very similar to our Ringed Plovers...

Findlay Wilde said...

The chick is so cute. From Findlay

EG CameraGirl said...

I often worry about where killdeer make their nests! I guess it works for them as there seem to be a lot of them. :))

Adam Jones said...

Great shot of a new bird to me. Looks like a very very large Ringed Plover

Unknown said...

Great photography and interesting facts. Thank you.

Pat said...

They are interesting birds to watch. The baby is so cute!

Neil said...

Great photos.