Killdeer birds are cute rather plump birds with rather long legs for their little bodies. They like to run in the open ground rather then fly over it. Seem they feel that they will miss some tasty morsel. They have a shrill kill-deer call that sometimes hurts the human ear. It most assuredly hurts other birds and wild life in the area. Killdeer are strange birds, they like or rather prefer open grassy and rocky areas that are not always by waterways.

With your binoculars take some time and look for general markings and characteristics, things that you notice right off. Do not spend a lot of time trying to memorize different aspects of the Killdeer’s. Just look for general information and then you will be able to quickly recognize what group these birds belong to by noticing size, general shape, colors and their behavior.

I suggest that you keep a note book of these characteristics. You can add to it from time to time. This will help you understand and learn. But be patient and note things only one at a time. Otherwise you may get tired and discouraged because you can’t remember everything at once. It will all come in time as you watch these birds. Also take a look at the field marks such as a wingbar and eyering markings to tie some IDs down.

Please remember also to note what time of year you see them as well as other kinds of birds you see in your neighborhood. Then you will be able to keep track of them better next year when the return.

A good field book on birds will help, but do not try to memorize everything in it all at once. Just learn about your specific bird of interest.

Killdeer

Size & Shape

A large fat plover with large bill, large eye, and round head; long legs

Color Pattern

Golden brown color above with two dark bands across the white breast

Behavior

Likes to run swiftly along the ground or will break into stiff-winged flight, has a shrill kill-deer call

Habitat

Prefers open grassy and rocky areas, often far from water, including parking lots, lawns, and driveways