About the Killdeer
The killdeer is a large plover found in the Americas. Its shrill, two-syllable call is often heard, sounding like "kill deer". It was described and given its current scientific name in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae. Three subspecies are described. Its upperparts are mostly brown with rufous fringes, the head has patches of white and black, and two black bands cross the breast. The belly and the rest of the breast are white. The nominate subspecies breeds from southeastern Alaska and southern Canada to Mexico. It is seen year-round in the southern half of its breeding range; the subspecies C. v. ternominatus is resident in the West Indies, and C. v.…
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ID tip
The killdeer is a tall and slender plover, with a relatively long tail. Adults ranging in length from 20 to 28 cm (7.9 to 11.0 in), having a wingspan between 59 and 63 cm (23 and 25 in), and usually being between 72 and 121 g (2.5 and 4.3 oz) in weight. It has a short, thick, and dark bill, flesh-colored legs, and a red eye ring. Its upper parts are mostly brown with rufous fringes, its cap, back, and wings being the former color. It has a white forehead and a white stripe behind the eye, and its lores and the upper borders to the white forehead are black.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Killdeer sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France, Spain, Norway, Iceland, French Guiana, Grenada, Martinique, St. Vincent & Grenadines.
When to see it
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusThis species weighs a mean 47.4 g (1.7 oz.) for males and 46.1 g (1.6 oz.) for females, with body masses ranging from 37.6-54.7 g (1.3-1.9 oz.). and measures 17–19 cm (6.7–7.5 in) in length with a 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) mean wing length.
Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaAdults are 17–19.5 cm (6.7–7.7 in) in length with a 35–41 cm (14–16 in) wingspan.
Piping PloverCharadrius melodusThe piping plover is a stout bird with a large rounded head, a short thick neck, and a stubby bill.
Side by side: Killdeer vs Semipalmated Plover · Common Ringed Plover vs Killdeer · Killdeer vs Piping Plover
Learn the Killdeer for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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