Kildeer

Related Bird Resources Plovers Shorebirds Types of Birds

The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), a member of the plover family, is an unusual shorebird in the fact that it can be found in many habitats outside of coastal or inland shorelines.

It is among the most common shorebirds in the United States, found in a variety of settings from lakes, to ponds to your back yard.

It may be a bit of a stretch to appoint them as the most annoying shorebird, however, if you are ever walking around their territory during breeding season, they will constantly cry out, whether you are walking toward or away from them.

In many instances, their nest protecting practices make it tough to avoid them. They will keep flying in front of you, settle and continue walking in your general direction as a way to lead you away from their nest.

The two bands on the breast provide good field identification marks for differentiating them from other plovers. Their diet consists mostly of insects, which makes them welcome on farmlands across the country.

© 2004 Patricia A. Michaels