Rural Perspectives: The precocious Killdeer

by Rose Collison

The killdeer’s unmistakable call “KILL-DEE” announces its presence across fields. The pair makes their nest on the ground, often on gravel, and the speckled eggs blend so well with gravel that they are sometimes hard to spot.  The eggs take 24 to 28 days to incubate before the chicks hatch, and when they do they come out running. Go near the nest, and a Killdeer parent will limp away, dragging a seemingly broken wing–all a ruse to lure predators from its nest. When the young are safe, Mom and Dad fly off in search of food to bring home to hungry mouths.

Killdeer keeps an eye out for danger.

The pair’s eggs, resembling stones, blend into the background of gravel and twigs.

Go near the nest, and parent Killdeer will limp away, dragging a seemingly broken wing–a ruse to lure predators from its nest.

This one takes double measures and pretends to have two broken wings.

After retiring from Stockbridge Community Schools, Rose Collison joined the board of Stockbridge Community News. She serves as volunteer photographer and manages the Where’s Waldo contest. She and husband Ken have lived in the area for a number of years.