Vociferous by nature and by scientific name (Charadrius vociferus) the Killdeer gets its common name from the sound of its shrill, far-carrying cry as it circles in flight. Previously given such names as the noisy or chattering plover, “Killdeer” is the name that stuck, despite the initial confusion that sometimes ensues—you’re telling me a bird killed this deer?
Early March, I was observing the birdlife on the Kettle Pond at Faville Grove when I heard some of the first of the season’s returning Killdeer. Cutting through the rabble of cranes, geese, and Red-winged Blackbirds, multiple Killdeer called and circled overhead. I always appreciate smaller birds who make their presence known, and Killdeer make for enlivening observation.
A Killdeer feigning a broken wing to lure away predators (photo by Alex Schubert/USFWS).
Unlike many plovers, Killdeer feel at home in a wide range of habitats away from the water, natural, disturbed or artificial. A familiar sight and sound in much of the state, they ground-nest in gravel lots, lawns, and grazed pastures, demonstrating some adaptability to the trappings of our modern landscapes. They scrape their inconspicuous nests into the ground, and have a number of tricks to protect them. Their broken wing ruse lures predators away from their nests as they wittingly chirp and shuffle along the ground with bent wings. They are also not afraid to let wandering livestock and others know they’re getting far too close. Killdeer require open areas with low and semi-sparse vegetation for nesting, and are accordingly willing to deal with the hazards that come with such settings. That’s not to say it’s an easy job, or that nest predation and destruction don’t occur. If Killdeer are raising the alarm, circling overhead, or chirping at you from the ground, it’s best to watch your step.
Video: A Killdeer protecting a nest from grazing cattle.
The Killdeer breeding range underwent significant expansion within the continent in the twentieth century, and are generally considered a bird of low conservation concern. However, studies have demonstrated regional declines, highlighting the importance of habitat protection and restoration even for the species we think of as resilient and adaptable.
Written by Tucker Sanborn, Faville Grove Sanctuary land steward
Cover photo by Gary Shackelford. A “committee” of Killdeer are perched in a recently-burned prairie at Fair Meadows Sanctuary.
