Killdeer

Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
edited November 4, 2006 in Wildlife
Each year, in February, the killdeer appears in the Midwest. Its high, drawn-out "Keee" or "Kill-deer" signals spring long before the robins begin to sing. It's also the last migrant to leave in the fall, remaining in Illinois into November.

This is a juvenile that I captured near my home.

106856939-L.jpg

[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Baby birds that hatch with their running shoes on are called precocial. Precocial means "ripened beforehand." (The word comes from the same Latin source as "precocious.") Other precocial birds besides killdeer are chickens, ducks, and quail. None of these precocial babies lies in the nest and gets waited on.[/FONT]

A one-day-old killdeer chick is actually two weeks older than a one-day-old robin nestling. Although adult robins and killdeer are the same size, a killdeer's egg is twice as big as a robin's. There's more nourishment built into the killdeer egg, to sustain the embryo for its longer time in the shell.

Comments

  • FabsFabs Registered Users Posts: 97 Big grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    Very interesting read, thanks for the info. It's great when the post contains informative description or information.Very nucely captured. Only wish for a head turn your way.
    www.avianscapes.com

    Blog at: http://web.mac.com/fabs5
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  • JenGraceJenGrace Registered Users Posts: 1,229 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    Very interesting facts about kildeer. It's so fascinating how certain species have evolved and adapted (e.g. ground nesting birds having precocial chicks) for survival. Thanks for teaching me something! :):
    Jen

    Gallery of mine...caution, it's under CONSTANT construction! | Photo Journal

    In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. ~Aaron Rose
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    Neat capture Ric, good work thumb.gif

    Thanks for sharing your pic and info.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    Fabs wrote:
    Only wish for a head turn your way.

    This is as close as I got to a head turn.

    106865303-L.jpg

    It seems like...if they look at you, then they have recognized a threat and have to leave all those juicy bugs behind! So they pretend you are not there so they can chow down.

    Thanks.:D
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    this text is bold
    trial

    guess I blew that one! Trying to set bold text in title.
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    wonderful photo and clarity !
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    nice shots ric & interesting read.clap.gif
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited October 31, 2006
    Good Kildeer shot Ric!thumb.gif Like the first post best!
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 1, 2006
    JenW wrote:
    Very interesting facts about kildeer. It's so fascinating how certain species have evolved and adapted (e.g. ground nesting birds having precocial chicks) for survival. Thanks for teaching me something! :):
    :Ddeal.gif:D
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited November 1, 2006
    Fabs wrote:
    Very interesting read, thanks for the info. It's great when the post contains informative description or information.Very nucely captured. Only wish for a head turn your way.

    15524779-Ti.gif
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited November 1, 2006
    Excellent shot and an informative post. clap.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 2, 2006
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    Neat capture Ric, good work thumb.gif

    Thanks for sharing your pic and info.

    Dick.

    Thanks, Dick. :D

    Glad you liked it.
  • ysr612ysr612 Registered Users Posts: 148 Major grins
    edited November 2, 2006
    some shots of the eggs and the broken wing dance in this thread

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=37775
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 2, 2006
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    wonderful photo and clarity !

    Thanks, Awais.:D
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 2, 2006
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    nice shots ric & interesting read.clap.gif

    Thank you.:D
  • ehughesehughes Registered Users Posts: 1,675 Major grins
    edited November 2, 2006
    thumb.gifthumb
    Ed

    www.edhughesphoto.com
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited November 4, 2006
    Thanks, Glenn, Ben, Harry, and Ed.:D :D:D:D
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