The killdeer is brown on top and white below.

Killdeer in flight, showing the orange-buff rump at the tail.

Killdeer

The killdeer is a shorebird that is not always associated with water. One finds the killdeer on lawns, golf courses, driveways, parking lots, gravel-covered roofs, natural pastures, fields, sandbars, and mudflats.

The bird is brown on top and white below. The white chest has two black bands. An orange ring encircles the large black eyes. The orange-buff rump is conspicuous in flight as are the black and white flight feathers.

The flightless young chick is a fast runner and is well camouflaged when motionless. It has only one black ring in the upper chest.

The “broken wing” display is not unique to the killdeer. It is employed to draw intruders away from the nest and the young, flightless birds.

Some birds will pretend to have an injury to draw an intruder away from its chicks.

The kildeer chick is flightless, but a fast runner and easily camouflaged.

Killdeer dimensions:
Length: 7.9–11.0 inches
Weight: 2.6–4.5 ounces
Wingspan: 18.1–18.9 inches

Bird Walks

Jan. 4 and Feb. 1 from 8–10am. Walks are free but you must RSVP at www.blufflake.org/birdwatching. All are welcome. Bring your own binoculars, or borrow a pair from your guide. 11255 MLK Blvd.

Search www.FrontPorchNE.com for “Bird Sightings” to see all the past bird stories and photos from George Ho.