Fast becoming one of my favorite smallish birds

[SARtech]

I never get tired of watching Killdeer. I think this is so because they are so comical.


Pre-filght briefing



In-flight FUN




Some things I've noticed about Killdeer....

They like to talk as they fly







They like to fly with their legs relaxed. lol




They like to hang out by the shore




They seem curious about people. Unlike other common birds here, they rather hung out nearer to me for some time.

[OldClicker]

You're really getting good at the BIFs. - TF

[SARtech]

Thanks for the kudos. These guys are great practice.

[paulnj]

Very nice hilldeer images. Have you seen them do the broken wing act when you get close to the nest yet?

[AgingEyes]

[SIZE="3"]Pre-filght briefing

LOL

They seem curious about people. Unlike other common birds here, they rather hung out nearer to me for some time.

They want to distract you from their eggs and nests. They fly circle around you, too.

[SARtech]

Thanks Paul. No I haven't see that yet, but I've been on the lookout for it.

I dunno about them trying to distract me. I was very out in the open sitting on a hill with no nest near me. They also didn't seem "upset" at all. They did a lot of flying across the water and fed along the shore while I was there too. Looked like business (or play in their case) as usual.

I wonder these days why I don't recall noticing these guys earlier in my life. Maybe in my old age I am just slowing down to notice the beauty around me.
(or.... could be the views through the bigass lens)

[AgingEyes]

I was very out in the open sitting on a hill with no nest near me.

I assume then you knew that their eggs are out in the open, too.

[SARtech]

Isn't there a nest of some sort though? I hope not where I took these. The landscapers mow this every week!
I heard they like gravel areas. (?)

[paulnj]

They prefer a gravel or dark sandy area that the eggs blend into. It's just an impression in the ground, no actual nesting material.