Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area is a 9,054-acre state wildlife area located 3 miles southwest of Harpster. The property is in Wyandot and Marion counties.
Is there a
killdeer ohio
?
Killdeer are the most
abundant shorebirds
in Ohio , and one of the only shorebirds that breed in the state, she said. During migration, they’re most abundant in the
agricultural areas
of western and northwestern Ohio, which become stopover areas during migration north or south.
Where are Killdeer found?
Killdeer occur year-round along much of the Pacific Coast, lower elevations of the Rockies, and across the southern United States, then well into Mexico Wintering birds are found south to northern South America.
Are Killdeer rare in Ohio?
Killdeer have been widely distributed summer residents throughout Ohio since the 19th century (Wheaton 1882). Hicks (1935) recorded them from every county, and considered them to be common to abundant residents. Their statewide numbers have remained fairly stable during subsequent decades.
How do you find a
killdeer nest
?
Killdeer nest on open ground, often on gravel They may use a slight depression in the gravel to hold the eggs, but they don’t line it at all, or line it only with a few stones. Since there is no structure to stand out from its surroundings, a killdeer nest blends marvelously into the background.
Why is it called Killdeer?
Killdeer get their name from the shrill, wailing kill-deer call they give so often Eighteenth-century naturalists also noticed how noisy Killdeer are, giving them names such as the Chattering Plover and the Noisy Plover. Gravel rooftops attract Killdeer for nesting, but can be dangerous places to raise a brood.
Are Killdeer birds protected?
Although Killdeer, a species of plover that can be found along water and inland, are not endangered, they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in the United States To move the nest would require the federal government’s permission.
Where does Killdeer migrate?
But where do they go in winter? Killdeer that breed in the southern half of the US and along the Pacific Coast are year-round residents. But those that breed in the northern US and Canada, where winter conditions are more severe, migrate south to Mexico and Central America.
Where can I find Killdeer eggs?
Killdeer typically lay their eggs on the ground, in a shallow depression surrounded by low vegetation Add a few stones, perhaps, and that’s about it. Because of the color of its plumage, the adult attending the nest blends right in, so much so that you would be hard pressed see it, even if you knew it was there.
What is special about a Killdeer?
A killdeer performs a
broken-wing display
While the impressive acting of the broken-wing display is useful to lure people, dogs, and other predators away from the eggs, the bird tries other maneuvers to keep the eggs from accidental trampling by hoofed animals.
What are the predators of a Killdeer?
Killdeer adults, chicks and eggs are vulnerable to predation by many different predators, including birds of prey, gulls, crows and ravens snakes, foxes, coyotes, domestic cats, domestic dogs, raccoons, skunks and Virginia opossums.
Are Killdeer birds aggressive?
Instead of faking an injury like they do with creatures they feel may eat them or their young, killdeer will swell up, outstretch their wings, and aggressively charge horses, cattle or goats to keep them from inadvertently trampling their nests.
What is a group of Killdeer called?
They are ground-nesting birds that are famous for hiding their nests right out in the open. They really use no nesting materials and rely on distraction displays to protect their offspring. A group of killdeers are collectively known as a “season” of killdeers.
Are Killdeer protected in Texas?
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918 protects all migratory birds The MBTA makes it illegal for people to “take” migratory birds, their eggs, feathers or nests.
What does it mean when you see a Killdeer bird?
Although it is associated with death, the Killdeer is not a negative omen and is not thought to bring death. Instead, the Killdeer is there to ease the transition into the afterlife and to prevent humans from going before their proper time So, the Killdeer is a protective spirit.
What do you do if you find a baby Killdeer?
The best thing to do is to bring the chick back and search for the adults If you get anywhere near the rest of the family, one of the parents may give a broken-wing display, acting as if it’s injured. You should set the chick down and leave as quickly as possible.
Citations
https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/killdeer-plains-big-island