Killdeer

Killdeer

Noisy, double-banded shorebird of lawns and fields. Common throughout North America. Prefers grassy, open areas, where it darts then stops to catch invertebrates. Large, brown above and white below, with large red eye, double-black band across chest, dark mask; orangey rump and loud call conspicuous in flight. Nests in a scrape on the ground; well-known for the “broken-wing” display used to lure predators away from nest. Lifespan up to 10 years. Population ~ 1 million and stable.