Killdeer

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is in the Plovers and Lapwings family (Charadriidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 111,473 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.

When to photograph Killdeer: observations by month (U.S.)

About Killdeer

The killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is a large plover found in the Americas. It was described and given its current scientific name in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae. Three subspecies are described. The killdeer's common name comes from its often-heard call. Its upperparts are mostly brown with rufous fringes, the head has patches of white and black, and two black bands cross the breast. The belly and the rest of...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Killdeer by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Plovers and Lapwings)

Black-bellied PloverPluvialis squatarola

Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatus

Snowy PloverAnarhynchus nivosus

Piping PloverCharadrius melodus

Pacific Golden-PloverPluvialis fulva

American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominica

Wilson's PloverAnarhynchus wilsonia

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ