The Killdeer is a medium-sized plover found in open habitats across much of North America. These distinctive shorebirds are best known for their loud “kill-deer” call and elaborate broken-wing display used to distract predators from their nests. Killdeer lay a clutch of 3-5 speckled eggs in a shallow scrape on the ground, often in open fields or gravel. The eggs hatch after 24-26 days of incubation. But what happens after the Killdeer chicks emerge from their eggshells?
Newly Hatched Killdeer Chicks
Killdeer chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile from the moment they hatch. The downy chicks are able to leave the nest within hours and begin searching for insects alongside their parents. Their early independence is an adaptation to nesting in exposed areas. Hiding vulnerable chicks in a nest would make them easy targets for predators. Instead, Killdeer chicks can run and feed themselves soon after hatching.
In their first weeks of life, Killdeer chicks rely on their parents to help regulate their body temperature and lead them to good foraging spots. The adults will brooding the chicks when they need warmth. Killdeer chicks huddle close to their parents in cold or wet conditions. During the day, the chicks scurry after their parents, picking insects from the ground as they learn to find food. They use their camouflage and crouched posture to avoid detection.
Development and Growth
Killdeer chicks grow rapidly, nearly doubling their hatching weight in just over a week. Their flight feathers begin to emerge within 14 days, followed by tail feathers around day 21. Until they can fly at 25-28 days old, the chicks remain flightless and vulnerable. They continue to rely on their cryptic plumage and parents for protection. Both the male and female Killdeer will defend their brood from potential dangers.
Killdeer chicks fledge almost a month after hatching. Their first flights are usually short hops or buoyant flutters. The young birds build flight strength and endurance over several days. Fledglings also gradually shift to feeding independently. But the parents may still lead them to good foraging spots or perform distraction displays to protect the growing juveniles. Family groups usually remain together until the chicks fully mature around 6 weeks after hatching.
Range and Habitat Use
In their first year, juvenile Killdeer occupy the same open habitats favored by adults. These include gravel roads, athletic fields, golf courses, agricultural fields, wetlands, lakeshores, and similar open spaces with sparse vegetation. Killdeer avoid densely forested areas. The young birds generally remain within their parents’ home territory after fledging.
As they mature, Killdeer begin to shift to more independent living. Juveniles start wandering more widely by 2-3 months of age. Their dispersal from natal sites helps reduce competition for resources. Most young Killdeer take up residence in a new breeding territory by their first winter.
Diet
The diet of Killdeer chicks mirrors that of their parents. Insects make up the majority of their food at first. Very young chicks feed predominantly on flies, beetles, moths, butterfly larvae, spiders, and other small invertebrates. They rely on their vision and quick movements to capture prey. As they grow, Killdeer add larger insects like crickets, grasshoppers, cicadas, and dragonflies.
By two months of age, juveniles begin shifting to a more varied diet typical of adults. This includes earthworms, snails, shrimp, amphibians, fish eggs, and some plant material. Seeds and berries become especially important during winter when insects are scarce. The open, probing bill of Killdeer allows them to pick small food items from the ground or water’s surface.
Migration
Most Killdeer populations migrate south for the winter. Adults, juveniles, and young-of-the-year all make the long journey each fall. One study using banding data found the median fall migration distance was 166 km (103 mi) for juveniles and 204 km (127 mi) for adults. However, some individuals traveled over 1,600 km (1,000 mi) between breeding and wintering sites.
Young Killdeer follow their parents on initial fall migrations to learn the routes. Their first solo migrations likely occur by their second winter. Shorter day length and dropping temperatures provide cues to begin migratory restlessness and fat storage. Killdeer fly mainly at night and stop periodically to rest and feed. Most winter from the southern U.S. through Central America.
Threats and Mortality
Killdeer chicks face heavy predation pressure in their first weeks of life. Their key defense is hiding in plain sight through camouflage and freezing in place. Parents may also feign injury to lure predators from nests or young. But coyotes, foxes, raccoons, crows, ravens, gulls, and other predators still take many chicks.
Other common threats include vehicle collisions, oil spills, pesticide use, and habitat loss. One study in Saskatchewan found only 15% of Killdeer eggs resulted in fledglings. Adult Killdeer have an average lifespan around 3-5 years in the wild.
Because they nest on the ground, Killdeer are vulnerable to farming operations like plowing and harvesting. Haying and mowing can destroy eggs or kill flightless chicks hidden in fields. Agricultural chemicals may also reduce insect prey. Habitat degradation from development, mining, wetland drainage, and shoreline alterations further endanger Killdeer populations.
Population Status
Location | Population Estimate |
---|---|
Global | 1.5 to 3.5 million |
United States and Canada | 1 to 2.5 million |
Killdeer remain a common and widespread species, but are thought to be declining across parts of their range. Breeding Bird Survey data indicates Killdeer populations in Canada dropped around 5% between 1970-2015. The species is listed as Endangered in Nova Scotia. Other surveys reveal long-term declines in Killdeer numbers across the western and midwestern U.S.
However, Killdeer are not currently considered globally threatened. Their adaptability helps them thrive close to human activity and manmade habitats. While some local declines are occurring, Killdeer remain numerous and resilient overall. Protecting breeding sites and mitigating impacts of agriculture and development will be important for the future of Killdeer chicks and adults alike.
Conclusion
The precocial Killdeer chick is a highly mobile and independent bird from the moment it hatches. But Killdeer young still rely on their parents for warmth, guidance to food sources, and protection from predators in their first weeks. The downy chicks grow rapidly, developing flight feathers within three weeks. Juvenile Killdeer start expanding their diet and wandering range at 2-3 months old. Most will migrate south with their parents and take up their own breeding territory by one year of age.
Killdeer eggs and chicks face heavy threats from predators, vehicles, pesticides, and habitat loss. Their ground nesting habits make them especially vulnerable to human impacts like farming, development, and shoreline activities. While still a widespread species, some Killdeer populations have undergone concerning declines. Continued conservation efforts will be needed to ensure Killdeer chicks can continue hatching and thriving across North America.