The Precocious Killdeer

Today I was introduced to a beautiful little bird called the killdeer. No, it isn't pronounced like it looks. Big surprise, huh? Apparently these birds builds their nests on the ground, and that's when this story gets good. I should mention that we have a nest somewhere outside the office, and you can hear mother bird all day long.

So, they often nest on gravel. They'll use a slight depression in the gravel to hold the eggs without even lining it, or maybe they'll line it with a few stones which will make the nest look like it's just part of the surroundings. It just blends into the background. The eggs are speckled so they look more like stones than eggs.  Sometimes you'll see an adult moving down the road, and as as you get closer it suddenly develops a broken wing. It struggles and acts like it can barely walk, and sometimes drags one or both wings on the ground. Pitiful little creature. So you try to catch the little guy to take him home and nurse him back to health. It almost lets you reach out and pick it up while leading you further and further away from the eggs and nest--as far as 2 blocks away. When he or she feels like the eggs, or even the new young'uns are safe from you, the broken wing suddenly heals and the bird flies away callin a loud "kill-dee" that sounds like a jeer.

I tried to get a picture of the ittle guy today, but I'm no match for a hopping bird. But I'm going to keep trying and am in hopes of finding the nest for a few pics. Sadly, these aren't my pictures.