Killdeer

Adult Killdeer performing distraction display, Myer's Point, NY, 1 May 2005.

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The most widespread and familiar of the American plovers, the Killdeer is a common bird in farmyards, fields, and parking lots. Although many species of birds pretend to have a broken wing to lure predators from their nest, the Killdeer is the one most commonly seen performing this distraction display.

Description

• Medium-sized shorebird.
• Legs moderately long.
• Neck short.
• Back brown.
• Underparts white with two black bands on chest.

• Size: 20-28 cm (8-11 in)
• Wingspan: 46-48 cm (18-19 in)
• Weight: 75-128 g (2.65-4.52 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Loud piercing "kill-deer."

Conservation Status

The Killdeer is one of the most successful shorebirds because of its fondness for human modified habitats and its willingness to nest close to people. Because they live so close to people, however, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and collisions with cars and buildings. You can help scientists learn more about this species by participating in the Celebrate Urban Birds! project.

Other Names

Pluvier kildir (French)
Playero sabanero, Chorlito tildio (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Killdeer is one of the most successful shorebirds because of its fondness for human modified habitats and its willingness to nest close to people. Because they live so close to people, however, they are vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and collisions with cars and buildings.

• Gravel rooftops attract Killdeer for nesting, but can be dangerous places to raise a brood. Chicks may be unable to leave a roof because of high parapets and screened drain openings. When adults lure chicks off the roof, the chicks may die from the fall. However, some chicks have been observed leaping from a seven-story building and surviving.

• The broken-wing act used to lead predators from the nest would not keep a cow or horse from stepping on the eggs. To guard against large hoofed animals, the Killdeer uses a quite different display, fluffing itself up, displaying its tail over its head, and running at the beast to attempt to make it change its path.

Sources used to construct this page:

Jackson, B. J. S., and J. A. Jackson. 2000. Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus). In The Birds of North America, No. 517 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.