Killdeer are widespread, common shorebirds recognized by their distinctive calls and the two black bands across their white breast. While classified as shorebirds, killdeer frequently inhabit areas far from water, which often surprises people. These adaptable birds are particularly known for their unique nesting habits, as they do not construct elaborate nests like many other bird species. Their approach to raising young involves clever strategies that allow them to thrive in various environments, often quite close to human activity.
Preferred Nesting Habitats
Killdeer show a strong preference for open, flat, and sparsely vegetated environments for nesting. They often choose locations that offer clear sightlines, which helps them detect potential predators from a distance. Common nesting sites include agricultural fields, gravel driveways, construction sites, suburban lawns, gravel rooftops, and sports fields. Their selection of these open areas mimics natural habitats such as riverbeds and mudflats, providing the visibility necessary for their ground-nesting lifestyle.
The Unconventional Nest
A killdeer nest is a simple, shallow depression scratched into the bare ground, often called a “scrape.” This nest may be unlined or sparsely adorned with minimal materials like small pebbles, twigs, or shell fragments. The eggs, usually a clutch of four, are pear-shaped and cryptically colored. They appear buff, beige, or dull tan with speckled brown, black, or olive markings, blending seamlessly with the surrounding gravel or soil. Killdeer chicks are precocial, hatching with open eyes, covered in downy feathers, and capable of walking and leaving the nest within hours.
Protecting the Nest and Young
Given their exposed ground nests, killdeer have evolved behavioral strategies to protect their eggs and young. The most recognized is the “broken-wing display.” When a predator approaches, the adult bird feigns injury, fluttering awkwardly, dragging one wing as if broken, and emitting loud distress calls. This performance lures the intruder away from the well-camouflaged nest, making the adult appear as an easy target. Once the threat is distracted and led a safe distance away, the killdeer recovers and flies off, leaving the potential predator confused.
Other protective behaviors include loud alarm calls, running away from the nest, or puffing themselves up and fanning their tails to deter trampling by large hoofed animals. These displays are vital for the survival of their offspring in vulnerable nesting locations. If a killdeer nest is encountered, observe from a distance and avoid disturbance to allow the parents to continue their protective efforts.