The killdeer is often seen on bare areas such as fields and gravel roads. Their nests are camouflaged so be careful where you step if you see a killdeer using a “broken-wing” display. Ralph LaPlant Photo

Most of us can probably relate to the killdeer because we have heard its voice and seen its gestures.
    The killdeer a common spring and fall migrant throughout Minnesota and also resides statewide. Once settling down at a breeding ground, males often take time before establishing territories, but once they start, frequently show displays of collar-showing and horizontal runs. The collar-show is nothing more that lifting its head and exposing the neck, allowing more of the black collar to show. The horizontal run occurs when the bird runs at another bird.
    The territories are wide-open spaces, usually with sparse vegetation. Included can be wastelands, cultivated fields, baseball fields, lakeshores, golf courses and rooftops. Territories are often the ones used years previously.
    Once a territory is established the males will often circle around it, giving a kideah-call. This call sounds “kitadeak” or “k’k’k’k’deer.” These gestures advertise the bird’s presence to other killdeers.
    Once paired, the killdeers stay together and defend their territory. During the courtship both may scrape by tipping forward and kicking back with their feet. This, on occasion, throws small amounts of gravel. The scraping and actual breeding takes place on their territory.
    The nest, located on the ground, has an inside diameter of about 2 – 4 inches and is 1 – 1 ½ inches deep. Being a slight depression in the ground, it is lined with materials such as grasses, woodchips and pebbles. The base is often the result of scrapings mentioned earlier. These nests are hard to locate as they blend in with the surrounding terrain.
    The eggs, usually four, are light brown with irregular black and purple spots. The eggs are laid one-a-day and are incubated for a period of 24 to 28 days by both parents. When something or someone approaches the nest, either sex will use a “broken-wing” display. This is actually a side-tilt display. This may distract potential predators away from the nest.
    There is essentially no nestling phase as the baby killdeers are precocial (they can walk and feed themselves almost from the time of birth). Soon after birth, both parents lead them to areas where food and water are abundant. This can be outside their territory. During the nighttime the parents brood the young because of cool temperatures and moisture. The parents always watch their young unless protecting them from predators or breeding a second brood.
    There is no noticeable difference between the sexes. While observing breeding, genders can be distinguished. Killdeers migrate during the day, flying at high altitudes. Migration starts in fall. They travel as far as South America, often flying with shorebirds such as sandpipers. In March they arrive back at the breeding grounds.