Killdeer
Charadrius vociferous
Summary
Killdeer are a species of plover, which are a group of wading birds with long legs and wings and large eyes important for hunting for food by sight. Unlike many of their close relatives who nest on beaches, killdeer usually nest in drier areas: open fields, gravel lots, and even on flat roofs! They breed throughout the United States, but are rare in the northern U.S. in the winter. In Pennsylvania, some killdeer overwinter in the southern part of the state, and increasingly in some areas of central PA as winters are warming.
Killdeer are probably best known for their high, plaintive call of “kill-deer!” for which they are named. If you ever happen to come across a killdeer nest, you may see a parent performing a “broken wing display” where they dramatically feign an injury in an effort to lure a predator (that’s you!) away from their nest.
Learn more about killdeer here.
More Details
FAMILY
Charadriidae (Plovers)
IDENTIFICATION
Large round head, large eyes, long legs and wings. Note the two dark bands on chest and orange-buff rump that can be seen in flight.
HABITAT
Agricultural fields, meadows, urban areas, wetlands, and beaches
DIET
Primarily invertebrates such as worms, snails, and insects.
Ecosystem Connections
The open areas of SBG provide excellent foraging habitat for killdeer as they search for invertebrates and occasionally seeds to feed on.