Everything You Need to Know About a Killdeer Bird

A killdeer is a type of shorebird that often lives far away from the shore. To identify a killdeer, look for distinctive markings. They have a brown back, white neck ring, two black bands across a white breast and a long tail with an orange rump that shows only in flight or display. The adults measure 10-1/2 inches in length with a wingspan of 24 inches.

Quiz: How many shorebirds can you identify?

Killdeer Bird Facts

• Scientific Name: Charadrius vociferus
• Common name: Killdeer
• Family: Plover

Nest and Eggs

Courtesy Martin Torres

This bird does not make a nest. Four eggs, heavily marked with brown spots, scrawls and blotches, are placed on open ground, where they blend in with the surroundings. To attract them to your backyard, offer a protected gravel area where it can lay its eggs. It takes more than three weeks for killdeer eggs to hatch.

When something approaches its nest, the killdeer spreads its wings and tail, scolds and may even fly at it. If a potential predator comes very near, the bird tries to lure it away from the nest by playing wounded. Either parent may put on a broken-wing act, fluttering away as if injured.

“I was respectful and patient while I got close to this killdeer (above) by crawling on my belly to get the photo. The bird never cried out or flew away. I was also very careful to not disturb the bird when leaving. I used my Nikon D750 and a Nikkor 70-200 mm lens,” says reader Martin Torres.

Backyard Tip: If you find a bird’s nest on the ground in a high traffic area, put up a sign or flags to warn others not to disturb it.

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What Does a Killdeer Eat?

Courtesy Timothy Miller

These birds do not visit bird feeders. They primarily eat insects, and occasionally earthworms, crayfish and weed seeds.

Killdeer Song

Listen to their song. Their voice is a noisy call of “kill-dee” and repeats “dee-dee-dee.”

Bird songs provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Learn all about wading birds.

Range Map and Habitat

Courtesy Albert Myran

Look for these birds on lawns, cemeteries, parking lots, golf courses and cultivated fields, usually away from water.

Range maps provided by Kaufman Field Guides, the official field guide of Birds & Blooms.

Next, check out 20 black and white birds you might see.