One of my favorites! The Killdeer. What a character. This bird is one that can be watched for a long period. They offer a lot of humor especially if you stumble upon one near their nest. Acting as if it has a broken wing to draw the oncoming predator to it rather than it’s eggs or young. A very quick bird in flight. Almost impossible to photograph during flight. And it’s beautiful markings make it easy to identify.
Killdeer
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Size & Shape
Killdeer have the characteristic large, round head, large eye, and short bill of all plovers. They are especially slender and lanky, with a long, pointed tail and long wings.
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Color Pattern
Brownish-tan on top and white below. The white chest is barred with two black bands, and the brown face is marked with black and white patches. The bright orange-buff rump is conspicuous in flight.
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Behavior
Killdeer spend their time walking along the ground or running ahead a few steps, stopping to look around, and running on again. When disturbed they break into flight and circle overhead, calling repeatedly. Their flight is rapid, with stiff, intermittent wingbeats.
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Habitat
Look for Killdeer on open ground with low vegetation (or no vegetation at all), including lawns, golf courses, driveways, parking lots, and gravel-covered roofs, as well as pastures, fields, sandbars and mudflats. This species is one of the least water-associated of all shorebirds.