Killdeer
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54800218" class="extiw" title="d:Q54800218"><span title="Scottish wildlife photographer">Charles J. Sharp</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
NameKilldeer
Common NameKilldeer
Scientific NameCharadrius vociferus
FamilyCharadriidae
Wingspan (cm)47
Length (cm)25
Weight (g)87.5
Plumage DetailsWhite underparts with two prominent black bands across the chest. Brownish-gray back and wings, white collar, and a white forehead with a black band above it. Features a striking red eye-ring and a reddish-orange rump visible in flight.
Vocalization / CallA loud, piercing, and often repeated 'kill-deer' or 'dee-dee-dee' call, especially when disturbed or in flight. They also produce a rapid, trilling alarm call.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, farmland, wetland, shoreline, urban_areas
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada south through the United States and Mexico, and into parts of Central and South America. Winters in the southern parts of its breeding range and further south, including the Caribbean.
Identifying Featuresdouble black breast bands, large, round head, short bill, long legs, red eye-ring, loud 'kill-deer' call, broken-wing display
Description
Killdeer are medium-sized plovers known for their distinctive double breast bands and loud, piercing calls. They are often found in open areas, frequently performing a broken-wing display to distract predators from their nests.
