≡ Menu

Killdeer Nest, Eggs and Young

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!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • TexWisGirl May 29, 2012, 6:09 am

    great shots! fawns. ha ha!

  • Dawn Fine May 29, 2012, 12:30 pm

    wow..super shots! Love th video too.

  • Mick May 29, 2012, 1:04 pm

    A great series of photos and very cute young ones.

  • Adam May 29, 2012, 1:43 pm

    Very nice series of photos.

  • Boom & Gary May 29, 2012, 1:44 pm

    Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

  • Eileen May 29, 2012, 2:06 pm

    Larry, awesome post on the Killdeer. They are just the cutest birds.

  • Valarie May 29, 2012, 2:49 pm

    Loved the video, but wasn’t able to hear the call. I enjoy watching these when I do see them.

  • Sallie (FullTime-Life) May 29, 2012, 3:54 pm

    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.

  • Mia McPherson May 29, 2012, 7:16 pm

    Wonderful images & post Larry!

  • Hanne Bente May 29, 2012, 9:43 pm

    Beautiful series of pictures you show.
    Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

  • Hilke Breder May 30, 2012, 5:03 am

    Lovely post, Larry! Great video. The chicks are so fast, and are getting the Killdeer cry down.

  • Liz May 30, 2012, 8:54 am

    Great post Larry! What a gorgeous bird. I love those speckled eggs too.
    Great shots and nice close ups of the adults.

  • ken schneider May 30, 2012, 8:59 am

    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.

  • Mama Zen May 30, 2012, 2:54 pm

    Beautiful shots!

  • Modesto Viegas (Portugal) May 31, 2012, 11:09 am

    Very good series!!

  • springman June 6, 2012, 6:24 pm

    Good Lord Larry, close ups like that, it looks as though you were in danger of being eaten! Nice set!