killdeer

Description

The killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a large plover found in the Americas. It was described and given its current scientific name in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae. There are three subspecies. The killdeer's common name comes from its often-heard call. Its upperparts are mostly brown with rufous fringes, the head has patches of white and black, and there are two black breast bands. The belly and the rest of the breast are white. The nominate(or originally described) subspecies breeds from …The killdeer is North America’s most well-known plover, although many people know the killdeer without understanding its family affiliation. The killdeer can be common around human developments, frequently seen on playing fields, parking lots, and other unnatural habitats. Its “broken-wing” display is famous and known by many non-birders. The killdeer often forms flocks after breeding in late summer. It feeds in fields and in a variety of wet areas, but rarely along the ocean shore, and in general, it is not prevalent on mudflats. It is noisy. It reacts quickly to any perceived disturbance. Polytypic (3 ssp.; nominate in United States). Length 10.5".

Taken By

Jeff

Taken On

August 1, 2020

Tagged

bird