With a widespread distribution and affinity for open habitats, the Killdeer is one of the most common and recognized birds through much of North America. Killdeer are large for a plover and easily distinguished from other North American plovers by their characteristic two black or brownish-black breast bands.

Killdeer are well known for their loud and persistent call of "kill-dee, kill-dee," heard at all times of day or night on both the breeding and wintering grounds. Killdeer often nest close to human activities. Adults perform an elaborate and exaggerated broken-wing display to lure humans and potential predators away from their nests.

It is a common spring and summer resident throughout the state with breeding records from every county, although absent or rare at higher elevations. During winter, Killdeer are uncommon to rare in eastern Oregon, but common to abundant west of the Cascades.

Hear the call of the Killdeer

Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp