Killdeer: The Dramatist of the Driveway

You might not think you're familiar with shorebirds unless you live by the coast, but there's one exception you've likely encountered without even realizing it: the killdeer.  With its distinctive calls and dramatic behavior, the killdeer is a common sight across North America, thriving in open areas that include everything from pastures and fields to those surprisingly urban landscapes like parks, golf courses, and even your gravel driveway.

Larger than a sparrow but smaller than a pigeon, the killdeer is easily identified by its striking appearance. It sports a sleek brown back and white belly, accented by two prominent black bands across its breast – a key field mark that distinguishes it from other plovers. Its large, dark eyes are encircled by a bright red ring, adding a touch of flair to its otherwise understated elegance.

But the killdeer is perhaps best known not for its looks, but for its voice and its Oscar-worthy performances. Its name is an onomatopoeia, a direct imitation of its loud, piercing call, often heard as a repeated "kill-deer! kill-deer!" This call serves various purposes, from alerting others to potential danger to communication during courtship flights. When particularly agitated or threatened, the killdeer can also emit a rapid, trilling sound.

However, the killdeer's most famous act is undoubtedly its "broken-wing" display. If you stumble too close to a killdeer nest or its young, the adult bird will suddenly begin acting as if it's injured. It will drag a wing, call mournfully, and flutter along the ground, appearing to be an easy target. This is a clever distraction technique, luring potential predators away from the vulnerable eggs or chicks hidden nearby. Once the perceived threat is a safe distance from the nest, the "injured" killdeer will miraculously recover and swiftly fly away, often leaving a bemused observer in its wake.

Speaking of nests, killdeer are ground-nesters, choosing open, flat areas with short vegetation or bare ground. Their nests are simple scrapes in the dirt or gravel, often sparsely lined with pebbles, twigs, or other small debris. The eggs themselves are remarkably camouflaged, typically buff-colored and speckled to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. Both parents share incubation duties, diligently guarding their clutch for about 22 to 28 days.

Killdeer chicks are precocial, meaning they are born relatively mature and are able to leave the nest and forage for themselves within hours of hatching. These little fluffballs, with their single breast band, are quick studies, following their parents and learning to find their own meals, which primarily consist of insects and other invertebrates like earthworms, beetles, and grasshoppers. You might even see a killdeer running in short bursts, stopping abruptly to scan for prey before darting forward to snatch it up.

While their preference for open, flat ground makes them adaptable to human-altered landscapes, it also presents challenges. Nests in driveways, parking lots, or fields can be vulnerable to foot traffic, vehicles, and agricultural activities. Being mindful of their presence in these areas and giving them space is crucial for their survival.

The killdeer is a testament to the wonders of adaptation and behavior in the avian world. Its bold calls, striking appearance, and remarkable broken-wing display make it a truly fascinating bird to observe. So, the next time you hear that distinctive call or see a bird feigning injury on the ground, take a moment to appreciate the resourceful and dramatic "dramatist of the driveway," the killdeer.