Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) aren't wearing striped prison uniforms because they murdered Bambi. They got their name from their excited call of kill-deer! But they do have those horizontal stripes, which make them very recognizable. These shorebirds are often seen away from the beach, in fields, lawns, golf courses and open areas. The first killdeer I saw and photographed, on Feb. 24, 2017, was playing second base on a ballfield in the North Lawn of Central Park.
Killdeer, Mount Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island, December 19, 2022
The first time I saw killdeer at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn was on April 14, 2024. The birds were working the mudflats at Sylvan Waters that had appeared during the construction work to update the aeration of the pond.
Killdeer chick, Mount Loretto Unique Area, June 15, 2021
Killdeer, Lido Beach Passive Nature Area, Long Island, June 5, 2023
Baby killdeer, Mount Loretto, Staten Island, June 15, 2021
This slide is from July 13, 2023, near the parking lot pond at Nickerson Beach, Long Island.
These killdeer were seen on the beach at Mount Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island, on December 26, 2021, along with hundreds of sanderlings. I love this photo, because the birds are so perfectly camouflaged.
Killdeer, Mount Loretto, Staten Island, March 12, 2021
Killdeer, Mount Loretto, Staten Island, March 12, 2021
Killdeer and robin, Mount Loretto, Staten Island, March 12, 2021
Killdeer, Mount Loretto, Staten Island, March 12, 2021
Killdeer, Mount Loretto church drive, Staten Island, March 30, 2021
Killdeer, Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island, May 22, 2019
Killdeer, the beach at Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island, March 26, 2019
On May 20 and May 27, 2017, I got good looks at the killdeer on Governors Island, where they nest. Killdeer are plovers, with their large, round heads, large eyes and short bills.
Killdeer, Governors Island, May 27, 2017
I highly, highly recommend a video on YouTube by Cathy Weiner (quoteny) showing killdeer mating. It is absolutely beautiful and fascinating.
In my Filming the Feathers video, you can hear a killdeer calling, but it isn't the kill-deer! call they are known for. It is an insistent "Peep! Peep!" I put a couple of these calls at the beginning, before the Bach Brandenburg Concerto kicks in, in a version arranged for recorders and performed by Papalin.
Killdeer, Governors Island, May 27, 2017
The first photo in the grouping below was taken in Central Park on Feb. 24, 2017. The second two were taken on May 20 on Governors Island. The remaining photos were taken on May 27, also on Governors Island.
