A medium-sized plover known for its distinctive call and ground-nesting behavior. This adaptable bird is commonly found in the Coachella Valley and surrounding desert regions, often seen in open fields, dry riverbeds, and even urban areas.
Identification & Appearance
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Size: About 9-11 inches (23-28 cm) long with a wingspan of 18-19 inches (46-48 cm).
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Coloration: Brown upperparts, white underparts, and two bold black bands across the chest.
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Face Markings: White forehead and throat, with a black stripe across the head.
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Eyes: Large, dark eyes with a striking white eye-ring.
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Legs: Long, slender, and pale-colored.
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Tail: Long with bright rufous-orange edges, especially visible in flight.
Behavior & Adaptations
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Famous for its "broken wing" act, where it feigns injury to lure predators away from its nest.
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Highly vocal, often calling out a loud, high-pitched "kill-deer" sound, especially in flight.
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Fast runner, using quick stops and starts to catch insects.
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Nocturnal foraging is common, making it well-adapted to warm desert climates.
Habitat & Range
- Prefers open habitats such as desert flats, dry lake beds, golf courses, farmland, and riverbanks.
- Unlike many shorebirds, it is frequently found far from water.
- Year-round resident in Southern California but also migrates further north during summer.
Diet
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Insects, worms, and small crustaceans make up the majority of its diet.
- Occasionally eats seeds and plant material.
Nesting & Reproduction
- Nests on the ground, often in gravel, sand, or short grass, relying on camouflage to protect eggs.
- Lays 4 speckled eggs, which blend in with their surroundings.
- Both parents share incubation duties (about 24-28 days).
- Chicks are precocial, meaning they hatch fully feathered and ready to run within hours.
Conservation & Human Interaction
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Not endangered, but populations can be affected by habitat loss and disturbance from human activity.
- Commonly seen in urban environments, where their ground nests are vulnerable to traffic, pets, and human foot traffic.
- Beneficial to agriculture, as they help control pest insect populations.
The Killdeer is a resilient and resourceful bird that thrives in the deserts, farmlands, and open landscapes of the Coachella Valley, providing a lively presence with its calls and clever survival tactics. 🦆✨
