Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a medium-sized shorebird known for its distinctive vocalizations and striking appearance, characterized by its brown upperparts and white underparts with two black breast bands. Commonly found across North and Central America, this adaptable species thrives in open habitats such as fields and meadows, where it forages for insects and other small invertebrates.
๐ซ๐ท | Pluvier kildir |
๐ฉ๐ช | Keilschwanz-Regenpfeifer |
๐ฒ๐ฝ | Chorlo gritรณn, Chorlitejo colirrojo |
Taxonomy | |
Order | Charadriiformes |
Family | Charadriidae |
How to Identify
The Killdeer is easily recognizable due to its distinctive appearance. Its upper parts are predominantly brown, while the head features contrasting patches of white and black. The belly and breast are white, accentuated by two black bands.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Characteristics
Length | 20-28cm |
Weight | 72-121g |
Wingspan | 59-63cm |
Clutch Size | 4-6 eggs |
Incubation | 22-28 days |
Fledging | 3-24 days |
Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
Source | Wikipedia |
Videos
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Where and When to Spot
I first observed this species on an artificially leveled platform near Technopark. However, my subsequent observations and video recordings were conducted in Parc Michel-Chartrand. When exploring breeding grounds, exercise caution to avoid disturbing the habitat.
Observation Records by Park and Season
Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
---|---|---|---|---|
Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.