Plovers

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus

Family Charadriidae (Plovers)

Size: 10"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Inland fields, farmlands, lakeshores, meadows

The killdeer gets its name from its piercing kill-dee call, which is often heard before these well-camouflaged plovers are seen. Well adapted to human-altered environments, it is quite widespread and gregarious. It has long, pointed wings, a long tail, and a conspicuous double-banded breast. The upperparts are dark brown, the belly is white, and the head is patterned with a white supercilium and forehead. The tail is rusty orange with a black tip. In flight there is a noticeable white stripe across the flight feathers. The killdeer is known for the classic “broken wing” display that it uses to distract predators from its nest and young. The adult is illustrated.