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Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus

Description:

Adults have a brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with two black bands. The rump is tawny orange. Killdeer have a large, round head. The face and cap are brown with a white forehead. They have an orange-red eyering. The have long legs.

Habitat:

Killdeer can be found on open ground with low vegetation (or no vegetation at all), including lawns, golf courses, driveways, parking lots, and gravel-covered roofs, as well as pastures, fields, sandbars and mudflats. This species is one of the least water-associated of all shorebirds.

Notes:

Killdeer have colored plumage that gives them excellent natural camouflage in areas of small drift wood and dead wood whileon the ground. A strong vocal sound of the Killdeer, as a cry "kill deer" is heard before a good spotting. Watch for movement on the ground following a Killdeer sounding. Especially in areas near shorelines. This Killdeer appeared to be marking or scenting in quick stops of a 10ft by 10ft area near the shoreline with squatting,ruffling, ground huddle behaviors. Spending almost an hour in the small area with repetitive behavior patterns made for an enjoyable Killdeer observance.

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1 Comment

Atul
Atul 11 years ago

lovely!

Hoquiam, Washington, USA

Spotted on Jun 26, 2012
Submitted on Jun 29, 2012

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