Killdeer
NameKilldeer
Common NameKilldeer
Scientific NameCharadrius vociferus
FamilyCharadriidae
Wingspan (cm)47
Length (cm)25
Weight (g)95
Plumage DetailsAdults have brown upperparts, white underparts, and two distinct black bands across the chest. The head features a white forehead, a black band across the crown, and a white supercilium. Juveniles and chicks, like the one pictured, exhibit similar patterns but with softer, fluffier plumage.
Vocalization / CallA loud, piercing, and often repeated 'kill-deer' or 'dee-dee-dee' call, which gives the bird its common name.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsopen fields, grasslands, agricultural areas, golf courses, mudflats, shorelines, urban parks, wetlands
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across North and South America, breeding from Alaska and Canada south through the United States and Mexico, and wintering south to northern South America.
Identifying Featuresdouble black breast bands, loud 'kill-deer' call, broken-wing display, long legs, large eyes, brown upperparts, white underparts
Description
The Killdeer is a medium-sized shorebird, easily recognized by its two prominent black breast bands. It is known for its loud, piercing call and its distinctive broken-wing display used to distract predators from its nest or young.
