Killdeer Calling at Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina

One thing I don't understand about Killdeers: Why do they think that calling so loudly — and calling so much attention to themselves — will keep predators from finding their nests? Isn't there a chance that a supposedly threatening creature (me, for example) might not even know the Killdeer is there until they start their kill-deer, kildir call?

A Killdeer, at Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, SK

This Killdeer at the Condie Nature Refuge near Regina, SK, started calling as soon as I drove in. I ignored it. Then, when I drove out, it stopped in front of my car and continued to call. Kill-deer, kildir, kill-deer.

Enough, I thought. You want attention. I can't drive over you, so we both have time to kill. Time for a Killdeer photo session. (And what bright red eyes this Prairie plover has! The shorebird we can see without going to the sea.)


What is this? A Killdeer - Pluvier kildir
Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Photo date: May 29, 2016

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Killdeer: Nine Mating Moves

Yes, this is a Killdeer mating sequence, shot south of Chaplin, Saskatchewan, along the shore of Chaplin Lake, part of the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network.

And no, I didn't deliberately shoot these killdeers mating. As those who know me know, I'm very short-sighted. My telephoto zoom is my vision piece. And, as those who've taken pictures with me also know, I take lots of shots at a time.

It's the law of large numbers: The more pictures I take of any given subject, the more chance there is that at least one will be in focus.

Or, they might reveal an interesting sequence... 

Like this...


The Nine Mating Moves of a Killdeer. 

1. The nonchalant approach. Really, this killdeer is just strolling down the beach. 

10:27:11 a.m. 

2. What's that? A hot new bird in the neighbourhood?  

 10:27:12 a.m. 

3. Maybe call. See if he's free and interested. 

10:27:14 am. 

4. Time for a drink. And a mirror. 

 10:27:26 a.m.

5. Ready. 

10:28:35 a.m.

6. Steady. 
(Only one pair of legs on the ground. Yes, it was the Killdeer foot count that told me something was going on.) 

10:28:40 a.m.

7. Go! (Or not. I was a very long way away.) 

10:28:48 a.m.

8. More action.  (Or maybe he's clambering off?) 

10:28:49 a.m.

9. The End.

10:28:51 a.m.

I don't know what that male did to lure her across the beach. Scraped a nest, perhaps? 

And yes, I was shocked when I realized what I had taken pictures of... I mean, isn't the end of June a bit late in the season for mating? What are they thinking? 

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What are these?  Killdeers 

Location: South of Chaplin, along Chaplin Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Photo date: June 29, 2012.  

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Killdeer Landing on Boggy Creek, SK

Condie Nature Refuge: This lovely orange-backed Killdeer sailed in front of my camera Sunday, and I caught a few clear shots before trying a different setting, which immediately merged to washed out blur. Bad mistake. I'm still figuring out the optimal points for focus and light... 

These pictures were taken on the south side of Boggy Creek, from the Hillside Trail, at about noon — which is likely obvious from the tight shadow.

(I'm identifying this bird as a Killdeer because of its shape, size, banded neck, head markings and orange back... Other suggestions welcome!)  

Soaring down to the beach, orange back bright © SB

First one foot, and then the other © SB

All's calm and quiet now © SB 

What is this? A Killdeer, a fairly common prairie bird. 
Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, SK.

Photo Date: August 28, 2011. 

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