A medium-sized plover famous for its "broken-wing display" — adults flop around feigning injury to lure predators away from the nest. Their call ("KEE-DEER!") gives them their name.

Also called: Killdeer Plover

Native status: Native; widespread

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 19–26 cm (7.5–10 in); wingspan 60 cm
Weight75–90 g (2.6–3.2 oz)
LifespanWild 4–6 years; oldest documented 11
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyCharadriidae

§ Encyclopedia

The killdeer is a large plover found in the Americas. Its shrill, two-syllable call is often heard, sounding like "kill deer". It was described and given its current scientific name in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae. Three subspecies are described. Its upperparts are mostly brown with rufous fringes, the head has patches of white and black, and two black bands cross the breast. The belly and the rest of the breast are white. The nominate subspecies breeds from southeastern Alaska and southern Canada to Mexico. It is seen year-round in the southern half of its breeding range; the subspecies C. v. ternominatus is resident in the West Indies, and C. v. peruvianus inhabits Peru and surrounding South American countries throughout the year. North American breeders winter from their resident range south to Central America, the West Indies, and the northernmost portions of South America.

Source: Wikipedia — Killdeer Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Slender brown-and-white shorebird with two black neck bands; bright orange rump.

Similar species. Semipalmated Plover. Wilson's Plover.

Voice. Loud "kill-deer!" call.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, spiders, snails.

Behavior. Loud territorial bird. Famous broken-wing display.

§ Range

Throughout most of North America

§ Habitat

Open fields, gravel parking lots, golf courses, beaches

§ Threats

Habitat conversion, vehicle strikes (they nest in lots), pesticides on golf courses.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the killdeer is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Maintain natural gravel patches. Slow down when driving in open areas. Avoid lawn pesticides where killdeer feed.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2018