Close Call
Killdeer have several distinctive calls but this killdeer was just chirping to its mate who was a few feet off to the right. This is by far the closest I've ever been to these lovely birds, they were hanging out next to the parking lot of the auto tour at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. I stayed in my car and was able to watch them at my leisure.
The Red Ring
Like many of our plovers, killdeer are decked out in earth tones, but up close their red eye ring adds a bright dash of color.
A Start at Life
One of the distinguishing marks of killdeer compared to our other plovers is their distinctive double breastband. Except when they are babies, that is, as when they first hatch they have but a single band. At such a young age their stubby little wings only hint at the majesty of flight that is to come.
