Sounds strange, right? But these small shorebirds are worth watching out for—especially their nests! You find them in your fields, mudflats, and grazed fields. They are probably most familiar around towns, where they live on lawns, driveways, athletic fields, parking lots, airports, and golf courses. Generally the vegetation in fields inhabited by Killdeer is no taller than one inch. You can find Killdeer near water, but unlike many other shorebirds, they are also common in dry areas.
Killdeer build their nests right on the ground, relying on camouflage to keep their eggs safe from predators. The problem? The nests blend in so well that people often step on them without realizing it.
To protect their babies, killdeer parents will actually fake an injury to lure predators (and people!) away from the nest. So if you see a bird limping or acting hurt nearby, don’t ignore it—it might be trying to protect its family.
Keep an eye out and watch your step—those tiny eggs and chicks are counting on it!
