![]() In the Caribbean, killdeer can nest year-round. Nesting may begin as early as March in the southern United States, to as late as June in central Canada. Killdeer usually begin breeding in early spring, depending on their location. ( "New Hampshire Public Television", 2000 "Plovers and Sandpipers", 1985 "United States Geological Survey", 2000 Jackson and Jackson, 2000) Non-migratory breeding pairs may remain together year-round, and may breed together for several years. Male killdeer claim a territory in which to nest, and then attempt to attract a mate using aerial displays and a series of two-noted calls. Breeding pairs form on the breeding grounds in the spring. Range wingspan 17.5 (low) cm 6.89 (low) in.Field Guide to the Birds of North America", 1987 Hayman, et al., 1986 Jackson and Jackson, 2000) These subspecies are differentiated on the basis of differences in coloration and pattern of rufous edgings on their back and wing coverts. There are three recognized subspecies of Charadrius vociferus. Juvenile killdeer are similar in appearance to adults, with the exception of buffed fringes and the (uncommon) presence of tail-down. Male and female killdeer are similar in appearance, though breeding females may have additional brown on their face. vociferus possess a lengthened tarsus and a pointed, extended bill, suitable for its foraging habits. Characteristic of species in the same order, C. ![]() The rest the body consists of a grayish-brown coloration along the dorsal side, crown and nape, while the ventral region is white. Plumage is relatively absent of complexity with the exception of a vividly colored, reddish-orange rump that is visible during flight and behavioral displays. The band is continuous, thinning while going across the face along the forehead region and above the bill, and thickening at the supercilium extending around the eye and onward around the back of the head. Another band is located at the head, resembling a mask absent of the facial portion. Distinguishing characteristics include a dark, double-banded breast, with the top band completely encircling the upper body/breast. ( Hayman, et al., 1986 Root, 1988)Īdult killdeer reach a length ranging between 23-27cm, with an average wingspan of 17.5 cm. Killdeer are highly adaptive to climate and environmental variations, and as a consequence, have effectively settled into human altered environments including parks and agricultural zones. vociferus remain within their habitats year-round, migrating only when temperature becomes extremely cold, which for the killdeer, is approximately 10 degrees Celsius and below. With its large year-round distribution range (and as a result, a small wintering range), C. Their preferred topographical features range greatly (shorelines, savannas, high altitude regions), with temperature being the critical factor of environment choice. Killdeer live in terrestrial biomes including savannas, taiga and deciduous forest regions, preferring open areas within these biomes, especially sandbars, mudflats and pastures. Distribution continues through the Nearctic zone and into South America, runs along the Andes Mountain Range and terminates at the southern border of Peru. From the Gulf of Alaska coastline the range extends southward throughout the United States and reaches the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They can be found over much of North America and in parts of South America. Killdeer are native to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
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