Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) photos by Larry Jordan
I stopped by Battle Creek Wildlife Area a couple of weeks ago and when I drove into the parking lot I saw this…
An adult Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) sitting in the middle of the gravel parking lot. Well, I knew right away that she had to be sitting on eggs.
I shot some video from the car, but when my phone rang, she took off, allowing me to see the “nest” and eggs shown above (click on photos for full sized images).
Even knowing exactly where she took off from, it was difficult to see the nest as you can tell from the video. The video also includes footage taken a week later at Lema Ranch where a pair of Killdeer were foraging with their young.
The young Killdeer, termed “Killfawn” by Corey Finger over at 10000 Birds, were foraging near Mule Pond when I heard the adults calling.
I ducked down behind a tree to snap these photos but the parents were having none of it.
The Killdeer is aptly named “Charadrius vociferus.” As you undoubtedly noticed from the video, they are extremely vocal and when the adult birds gave a certain call to their fawns ;-), they rushed into the bulrush where they disappeared.
Which left me taking photos of the young one’s parents.
If you enjoy seeing birds from around the world, you have to check out World Bird Wednesday!
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great shots! fawns. ha ha!
wow..super shots! Love th video too.
A great series of photos and very cute young ones.
Very nice series of photos.
Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Larry, awesome post on the Killdeer. They are just the cutest birds.
Loved the video, but wasn’t able to hear the call. I enjoy watching these when I do see them.
Great pictures… they really are cute birds. I have seen them run the other way to try to divert danger from the nest. Like the burrowing owls , they don’t seem to nest in a very safe place.
Wonderful images & post Larry!
Beautiful series of pictures you show.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk
Lovely post, Larry! Great video. The chicks are so fast, and are getting the Killdeer cry down.
Great post Larry! What a gorgeous bird. I love those speckled eggs too.
Great shots and nice close ups of the adults.
Nice shots and narrative, Larry. My cell phone usually rings just I am finally getting a bird to come out of hiding– yours was a lucky call.
Beautiful shots!
Very good series!!
Good Lord Larry, close ups like that, it looks as though you were in danger of being eaten! Nice set!