Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Killdeer

I found this little guy (well not exactly that little) running around on the grass on one of my newest everyday adventures. I've actually seen this kind of bird many times before, but I never seem to have had time top show them to you until now. Now is not much different, but I thought it was time.

For those of you who didn't see the title, this bird is called a Killdeer. Doesn't sound like a very nice name if you ask me. But why is this bird called killdeer? Is it because it kills innocent deer? Nope! The name was given to these birds because their call sounds like they are saying, "kill-deer". A strange thing, but it's not the first time a bird has been named after the sound of its call I guess.

And as for the size of this killdeer, it is about the same size as a pigeon or a dove. This bird is actually a medium sized plover. This bird is a very common bird throughout North and South America. So any of you in the western hemisphere have probably seen one of these birds before.

I found this particular bird, as I said before, running around in the grass at one of my many nature parks I visit. These birds would normally be found near water, but they like to go just about anywhere there is a wide open space, like a nice big lawn or any grassy area.

The really interesting thing about a killdeer is that if their nest is threatened they will walk around pretending they have a broken wing. This is to distract any potential predator so the killdeer's eggs can be safe. I've never seen this behavior yet, and I really don't want to be the cause of it. I don't like scaring animals for any reason.

This particular bird wanted nothing at all to do with me when I found it there on the grass. It also didn't seen interested in flying away. It just kept running away from me if it thought I was looking in its direction too much. I had to do it if I was going to get these pictures. I wouldn't like anybody staring at me either.

I soon left this bird to move on its way. I had other things to do and so did the bird. I just liked the way it looked, its nice pattern of rings. Other than that it wasn't much of an encounter, but it was good enough for me.


Nature Center Magazine - I should have probably followed a few good beginner hiking tips when I got myself soaked from my story yesterday. By coincidence I have some good ones right over at Nature Center Magazine today.

17 comments:

  1. The killdeer did not feign a broken wing because the fledglings have left the nest and are now out on their own. Very nice photo by the way of a very timid bird.

    Bill:www.wildramblings.com

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  2. Killdeer may be common but one has to be amazed by how and where they nest.

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  3. Killdeer are a common sight on our huge lawn. It's neat to watch now they run.

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  4. Both of you happen to meet each other at that moment, and have to leave each other after the intersection point.

    You have your way, and it has its.

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  5. that's a beautiful deer, would be very interesting hearing it sings "kill-deer".

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  6. They are really interesting birds. WE have a lot of them around here and they put their nests in very weird places. One of them made a nest in my stone driveway, laid her eggs etc. I built a little blockade around the nest so the UPS wouldn't run over the eggs. And they do try to lead you away from their nests. Anyway, the eggs didn't hatch. I think something like a cat may have gotten them.
    Have a great day. Those are great pictures of the Killdeer.

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  7. The house that I grew up in had, for years, an empty lot next to it. There were always a ton of these birds there. I frequently saw the behavior that you described. They don't like anyone getting too close to their nests.

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  8. They do lead you around, I was close to a nest earlier inthe year but was unaware they place them in a rock drive, it was in a parking lot.

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  9. That's a pretty bird. It just occurred to me - all these creatures must think you are a little bit odd and suspicious, the way you sort of hang around with that contraption (i.e., your camera) pointed at them. They sense you're not in predator mode, but they can't make out just exactly what you are after. I like the fact that you try to be as non-invasive as possible, and they probably appreciate it too.

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  10. Ratty nice photographs. We have several birds of the Plover/lapwing family here and the behaviour you describe is also common among them.

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  11. They are real pretty birds. I've only seen them up at the college a few years back. Real nice photos!

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  12. I got fooled by one of these birds once. I didn't know anything about them and I saw it walking away from me with its wing looking mangled. I followed it thinking I could help. After a few moments it just jumped up and left me in the dust. I quickly figured out what had happened. Very humbling!

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  13. I have to admit I had kind of avoided reading this post because of the title...I thought it was going to be a tragic story of a beautiful animal...now I'm glad I lucked up the courage to read on further that the title and meet an interesting bird I had never heard of!!

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  14. I love the killdeer. THey are so familiar, yet seem so "exotic" somehow. Wait till you see a mama leading a row of babies in their tuxedos! You will love it!

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  15. Very nice shots of a Killdeer, Ratty...I haven't seen any to shoot with my camera yet.

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  16. I'd definitely wanna hear it shouting 'kill deerrr!' Might be giving heart attacks to the innocent deer populace in the neighborhood every time it opens its mouth. =D

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