Charadrius vociferus
SUBFAMILY
Charadriinae
TAXONOMY
Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758. Three subspecies.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Pluvir kildir; German: Keilschwanz-Regenpfeifer;
Spanish: Playero Sanero, Chorlito Tildio.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
8–11 in (20–28 cm); 3.3 oz (95 g). Medium-sized and
monomorphic, with two black bands across the breast and a
dark line extending between the eyes. Underparts are white
and upperparts are gray-brown with rufous edging on some
feathers. Rump and uppertail-coverts are bright rufous. Wings
and tail are long.
DISTRIBUTION
Ranges across all of North America with the exception of most
of Alaska and northern Canada. It extends southward throughout
Central America, Columbia, and Venezuela, and along the
west coast of South America to Peru and Chile. Also found on
Bermuda, throughout the Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles,
Cayman Islands, and Virgin Islands. There are accidental
records from many places, including Hawaii, Russia, Greenland,
Britain, Spain, and France. Breeding occurs across the
North American range and south into Central America as well
as the West Indies. Also reported breeding in Peru, northwest
Chile, and southwest Ecuador. Resident over most of southern
and coastal United States as far north as southern Alaska, West
Indies, and areas of Central and South America.
HABITAT
Favors open areas, including sandbars, mudflats, closely mowed
or grazed pastures and fields, graveled roads and parking areas,
and even paved parking lots. It uses similar habitats during migration,
but most likely to be seen in wet areas.
BEHAVIOR
While they are graceful, rapid flyers, most commonly observed
on the ground. Movement involves running a short distance,
stopping, bobbing the head, and running again. Their loud
calls of “killdee killdee” give the species its common name.
They often serve as a sentinel species for mixed shorebird
flocks and are frequently found in small to medium flocks in
the winter, although individuals appear to protect a small personal
space. Both migratory and resident populations are present.
Resident pairs may maintain a breeding territory all
winter. Migrant flocks that stopover on these territories are
largely ignored, but territories are defended from other residents.
Killdeer spend considerable time displaying in small
groups, especially during fall and late winter to early spring.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Feeds along water edges, on shorelines, closely mowed pastures,
and mudflats. Often forages by running short distances,
stopping, peering, and pecking. Birds commonly pat the
ground with one foot as they are foraging. Feeds on a variety
of adult and larval invertebrates. Small vertebrates, including
frogs and minnows, are sometimes eaten, as well as seeds and
other plant materials.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Seasonally monogamous in the United States. Non-migratory
individuals commonly mate for life. Migrants have been observed
with the same mate on breeding territories in consecutive
years. Parental responsibilities are shared by both sexes.
Lays four eggs in a scrape on the ground, preferring closely
mowed pasture and graveled areas. Flat, gravel-covered
rooftops are popular nesting sites. Both sexes participate in
scrape formation. The bird crouches in the selected area and
digs with the feet, pushing dirt to the rear and using the
breast to form the scrape. Pair members take turns scraping.
The displaced bird moves away from the scrape, tossing loose
materials over the shoulder as it moves away. These loose
materials eventually form a simple lining for the scrape. Incubation
requires about 25 days, and hatching is usually fairly
synchronous. Nests are rarely left unattended, especially when
temperatures are high. Belly soaking (wetting of the breast
feathers at a nearby pond or stream) is commonly used to
cool eggs on extremely hot days. Precocial young are led to a
feeding area soon after hatching. Fledging requires approximately
25–30 days, and fledged chicks may remain with the
parents after fledging. Performs well-developed distraction
displays and engages in false brooding when eggs or chicks
are threatened.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Populations appear stable over much of their range, although
they may be declining in eastern North America. Human activities
have increased available habitat for killdeer. Newly created
habitats include gravel roadsides, parking lots, rooftops, golf
courses, airports, and pastures. Unfortunately, many of these
habitats act as ecological sinks when chicks are unable to get
off rooftops, cars destroy eggs, or birds are killed through the
ingestion of pesticides used to control their prey.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Copyright © 2016-2017 Animalia Life | All rights reserved