The killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a medium-sized shorebird found throughout much of North America. The killdeer is perhaps best known for its loud and distinct vocalizations, which have been described as sounding like “kill-deeeer.” The species gets its common name from the sound of its call. But what exactly does the call of the killdeer sound like? In this article, we’ll explore the characteristics of the killdeer’s vocalizations, when and why they vocalize, and how their calls can vary in different situations. We’ll also listen to killdeer call recordings so you can hear these shorebirds in action.
Description of the Killdeer’s Call
The flight call or alarm call of the killdeer is a loud, piercing “kill-deeeer” or “kee-deeeeer.” The first syllable is accented and usually louder and higher pitched than the second syllable. The call is repetitive and ringing. It has an urgent, demanding quality to it. Killdeer vocalizations carry for some distance and the birds will call in flight or when agitated on the ground.
Some key features that characterize the killdeer’s call:
- Loud volume
- High pitch
- Two-syllable “kill-deeeer” sound
- Accented first syllable
- Repetitive and ringing quality
The killdeer’s call has been phonetically transcribed as “kildir” or “kil-di-di-dee.” When heard from a distance, the two syllables may blend together into a single ringing note. At close range, the “kill” and “deer” parts are distinct. The killdeer may also incorporate trills and variations into its vocalizations.
When and Why Killdeer Call
Killdeer are very vocal birds and use their loud calls for a variety of reasons:
- Giving alarm calls when disturbed, warning others of danger
- Defending nesting sites
- Displaying toward other killdeer
- Maintaining contact with their mate or young
- Begging calls from young to adults
The classic “kill-deeeer” flight call is used most frequently as an alarm response to threats or perceived threats near the bird. Killdeer will call excitedly when an animal, person, or vehicle approaches near their nest. If a predator like a fox, raccoon, or dog is spotted, killdeer will sound the alarm to alert their mate and offspring.
During the breeding season, killdeer defend their nesting territory vigorously. They will call out challenges against intruding killdeer. The male will also perform a “distraction display,” calling noisily and pretending to be injured to lure potential predators or intruders away from the nest.
In flight, killdeer utter their namesake call to maintain contact with their mate or young. The killdeer has a high-pitched, fluttering flight and its flight calls can be heard from some distance. Young killdeer give repetitive, piercing begging calls when soliciting food from parents.
Variation in Killdeer Vocalizations
While the loud, ringing “kill-deeeer” call is most iconic for this species, killdeer vocalizations can vary somewhat across different situations:
- Alarm calls tend to be louder, more emphatic, and higher pitched when the threat level is higher
- Flight calls are generally slower and less urgent sounding than alarm calls on the ground
- Young killdeer have a faster begging call that sounds higher pitched and more raspy than adult alarm calls
- Male and female killdeer may show subtle differences in pitch or tone of their calls
- As distance increases, the two syllables may blend together into one note
Regional dialects may also exist across different killdeer populations, but these nuances require more research. The killdeer’s vocalizations play an important role in breeding, territoriality, and anti-predator defenses, so the birds are under strong selective pressure to call loudly and distinctly. This helps explain the resonance and constancy of their “kill-deeeer” call over their widespread North American range.
Killdeer Call Recordings
To truly get a sense of the killdeer’s signature vocalization, it helps to listen to recordings of the birds calling. Here are some video examples of killdeer alarm calls and flight calls:
As you can hear, the killdeer’s call is extremely loud, clear, and penetrating. The ringing vocalization carries a sense of urgency and insistence. The repetition and accent pattern gives the call its unique rhythmic “kill-deeeer” quality. Though they are medium-sized shorebirds, killdeer vocalizations punch far above their weight!
Mimicking the Killdeer Call
To mimic the classic killdeer call yourself, try the following tips:
– Emphasize and extend the first “kill” syllable
– Keep the second “deeeer” syllable at a lower pitch
– Use a clear, ringing vocal tone
– Repeat the call in a steady, rapid cadence
– Imagine you are sounding an urgent alarm
– Practice your loudest outdoor voice
– Mimic the rhythmic quality: KILL-dee-KILL-dee-KILL-dee
It may take some practice to capture the true essence of the killdeer’s insistent cry. Work on projecting your voice loudly with a crisp, oscillating quality. The killdeer’s vocalizations are specifically adapted to carry over long distances, cut through wind and background noise, and convey an urgent message, so mimic these properties in your own rendition.
Unique Adaptations of the Killdeer’s Call
The killdeer’s call is specially adapted for communication and signaling in open environments:
- High, piercing tones carry further than lower frequencies
- Loud volume designed to transmit over distances
- The ringing, repetitive quality makes the call very noticeable
- Rhythmic pulsating cadence stands out from wind and ambient noise
- Wide-frequency bandwidth difficult for predators to filter out
In addition, alternating syllables may make the source of the sound more difficult for predators to pinpoint. The killdeer evolved to inhabit open habitats like shorelines, fields, and grasslands where visual cues are limited. Their vocal adaptations help the birds communicate effectively, defend territories, stay in contact with mates and offspring, and serve as an early warning system against threats.
Conclusion
The killdeer’s familiar “kill-deeeer” call is a highly recognizable sound of fields and wetlands across North America. This loud, ringing vocalization serves many important functions for the birds related to alarming, territoriality, mating, and chick care. The killdeer’s calls project loudly over distance thanks to their piercing pitch and insistent repetition. Listening to real killdeer calls reveals just how attention-grabbing their vocalizations are. With some practice, you can learn to mimic the killdeer’s cries yourself, but you’ll need to work on matching their urgency and persistence in sounding the alarm! The killdeer and its boisterous calls are iconic symbols of wide open spaces.