170/253
Home / Albums / Natural History / Birds /

Killdeer

Killdeer.jpg House WrenThumbnailsHouse SparrowHouse WrenThumbnailsHouse SparrowHouse WrenThumbnailsHouse SparrowHouse WrenThumbnailsHouse SparrowHouse WrenThumbnailsHouse SparrowHouse WrenThumbnailsHouse Sparrow
Google+ Twitter Facebook Tumblr

Killdeer

The killdeer is the common plover which we see in pastures, meadows, fields or on shores of ponds and lakes. Freshly mown alfalfa fields, short grass or stubble, even newly plowed fields attract them. They gather in loose flocks to feed on exposed insects or worms. Their usual pace consists of a short run, a quick stop to check for some juicy morsel, then another short run. All stops are accompanied by a jerky movement as if undecided whether to spring into the air or stay on the ground. Even the spindly legged young have this bobbing habit.

This bird is only a little bigger than the Robin, but longer legs and tail make him appear larger. White collar with 2 black bands across the lower neck and upper breast, chestnut back and tail, white lines in the wings in flight, all make this plover easily identified. If there is any doubt you will soon hear his “kill-dee,” or “kill-deer” notes, for he is a noisy bird, quick to resent any intrusion in his territory. These calls alert other birds, much to the disgust of duck hunters who are trying to make a quiet approach to their blinds.

Author
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Introduction to Our Bird Friends, Volume 1, by Lenwood Ballard Carson
Published 1954
Dimensions
696*800
Tags
Birds
Visits
679
Downloads
26