The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a familiar North American shorebird often found far from the shore in open, human-modified habitats. It is easily recognized by its large size and the two distinct black bands ringing its white chest. The bird is highly vocal, taking its common name from its far-carrying, shrill, two-syllable call, “kill-deer.” Its widespread presence across lawns, fields, and parking lots means many people encounter their nests, prompting curiosity about the timeline of their breeding cycle.
Identifying the Killdeer Nest and Eggs
Killdeer nests are characterized by their unusual placement in exposed locations. The bird does not build a traditional nest but instead utilizes a shallow depression, known as a scrape, directly on the bare ground. These scrapes are frequently located in open areas like gravel driveways, cultivated fields, or short-grass lawns.
The parents may line the 3 to 3.5-inch depression with small debris, such as pebbles or sticks, which aids camouflage. Killdeer typically lay a clutch of four eggs, though three to six is possible, with eggs laid at 24 to 48-hour intervals. The eggs are buff-colored and heavily marked with dark brown and black speckles, perfectly blending in with the surrounding soil.
Incubation and Hatching Timeline
The most common duration for Killdeer egg incubation ranges from 22 to 28 days, though this timeline can sometimes extend up to 31 days depending on environmental factors. Both the male and female parents share the responsibility of incubation, with the male often taking the longer shift at night. This constant attention is necessary because the open nature of the ground nest provides little insulation against temperature shifts.
External conditions, especially temperature, can influence the exact time spent on the nest. When temperatures are extremely high, the adult bird will stand over the eggs to shade them from the direct sun. The parent may also wet its belly feathers to help cool the eggs through evaporation, a behavior known as belly-soaking. Conversely, in cooler weather, the parents increase the time spent sitting directly on the clutch to maintain the necessary warmth.
The eggs generally hatch in the order they were laid, meaning the last egg may hatch a day or two later than the first. The process of the chick breaking through the shell, known as pipping, can be a prolonged event. Once the chick has successfully emerged, the parents often remove the empty eggshells from the nest site to avoid attracting predators.
Life Immediately After Hatching
Killdeer chicks are classified as precocial, meaning they hatch in an advanced state of development. They are covered in a dense layer of downy feathers, have their eyes open, and possess strong, well-developed legs. This high level of preparedness allows them to be functional almost immediately after emerging from the shell.
The young chicks are not dependent on the nest for long and will leave the scrape as soon as their downy plumage dries. This process usually takes only a few hours after the final egg hatches. The parents then lead their young away to feeding areas, which are typically grasslands or open fields rich with invertebrates.
The parents provide constant protection, using distraction displays like the “broken-wing” act to lure threats away from the mobile young. Killdeer parents do not feed their chicks; the young are capable of finding and consuming their own food, such as small insects and worms, immediately upon leaving the nest. Although they are self-feeding, the chicks remain under parental care and guidance for about 40 days until they are able to fly.