# Killdeer (*Charadrius vociferus*) The Killdeer is a fun bird with a loud call! They have long legs and a beautiful brown and white body. You can often find them near water or open fields. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 248 - **Habitat:** Open fields, shores, and gravel areas. - **Also known as:** Killdeer Plover ![Killdeer](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424258/objects/4555.jpg) ## Appearance The Killdeer is a medium-sized shorebird with a brown back, white belly, and two distinct black bands across its chest. Its striking features include large, dark eyes with a red eye-ring, a short bill, and rufous-orange on its rump visible in flight. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Charadriidae - **Genus:** Charadrius ## Interesting facts - Both parents take turns sitting on the nest, sharing incubation duties! - Killdeer eggs are pointed at one end, so they roll in a tight circle! - They often "dance" on the ground to stir up worms for a tasty snack! - They sometimes nest on rooftops, protecting eggs from ground predators! ## Special abilities - **Broken-Wing Display:** Killdeer can pretend to have a broken wing because it distracts predators away from their hidden nests and chicks. - **Master of Camouflage:** Killdeer has speckled eggs and downy chicks that blend perfectly with gravel and dirt, helping them hide from hungry eyes. - **Alarm Cry:** Killdeer can make loud, distinctive 'kill-deer!' calls that warn other birds and animals of approaching danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-28 cm - **Wingspan:** 46-48 cm - **Weight:** 0.075-0.12 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-10 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 22-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 2500 km ## Diet & Feeding Killdeer primarily feast on insects and other small invertebrates found on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** earthworms, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, snails, spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [earthworm](https://www.snappit.app/explore/earthworm) (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — An important food source often found by foot-paddling. - **Eaten by:** [American crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Crows often prey on Killdeer eggs and chicks. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Hawks are common aerial predators of adult Killdeer. - **Eats:** silky ant (*Formica fusca*) — Consumes a variety of ants and other ground-dwelling insects. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and never try to touch or catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Killdeer? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Killdeer? 20-28 cm ### What is Killdeer's wingspan? 46-48 cm ### How much does Killdeer weigh? 0.075-0.12 kg ### How long does Killdeer live? 3-10 years ### How fast can Killdeer move? 70 km/h ### What does Killdeer eat? Killdeer primarily feast on insects and other small invertebrates found on the ground. ### Where is Killdeer usually found? Open fields, shores, and gravel areas. ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Bellevue Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellevue-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Benbow Lake State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/benbow-lake-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Killdeer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/killdeer) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Killdeer: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/killdeer)