SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT Blog Post #4

California’s “Range of Light” is home to a diverse array of both colorful and cryptic birds (the feathers). It is my intent to use my passion for birds and photography to paint a story about 120 of the most common or most sought-after Sierra Nevada (Range of Light) birds by most nature enthusiasts.

Sierra Nevada Birds – Feathers in the Range of Light is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

WHAT’S IN A NAME

• Scientific Name: Charadrius vociferus
• Family: Charadriidae
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List species of “Least Concern”
• Occurrence, Residency and Breeding Status: Killdeer is a uncommon year-round resident and locally uncommon breeder
• Favored Biotic Zone(s): wet meadows, mudflats, and margins of ponds

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) is an uncommon year-round resident that is more frequently found in Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones usually not far from water. It is a species of bird belonging to the plover family, Charadriidae.

The Killdeer is a medium-sized shorebird with a distinctive appearance. It measures around 23-28 centimeters in length and has a wingspan of approximately 46-48 centimeters. Its plumage is primarily brownish-tan with bold black and white patterns on the upperparts and face, including two black bands across its breast. It has a long, thin black bill and pink legs. The species is known for its loud, shrill call, often described as its name, “kill-deer.”

Killdeer are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as insects, worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. They forage in open areas, including meadows, fields, agricultural lands, and shorelines. In the Sierra Nevada, they can be found in a range of habitats, including grasslands, wet meadows, lake edges, and even in suburban areas near water bodies.

Killdeers are ground-nesting birds and create their nests in open, gravelly areas with minimal vegetation, such as riverbanks, shores, gravel bars, or even parking lots. Their nests are shallow depressions in the ground, lined with small rocks, twigs, or grass. One interesting behavior of the Killdeer is its “broken-wing” display, where it feigns injury to distract potential predators away from the nest or young. This behavior is a clever tactic to lead predators away from the vulnerable nest or chicks.

The Killdeer has a wide range and a stable population, and it is not currently considered a species of concern. It is listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, like many bird species, it can face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and predation. Conserving and protecting its preferred habitats, such as wet meadows and grasslands, is crucial for the continued well-being of the Killdeer and other avian species in the Sierra Nevada and beyond.

Please visit my Feathers in the Range of Light Blog Site for more Sierra Nevada Birds blog posts:

3 Most recent Sierra Nevada Posts below:

• 
  Cassin’s Vireo
  by Jim Gain
  November 27, 2023
  SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT The Cassin’s Vireo is a Common Summer Visitor of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.
• 
  Hermit Warbler
  by Jim Gain
  November 22, 2023
  SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT The Hermit Warbler is a Common Summer Visitor of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.
• 
  Brown Creeper
  by Jim Gain
  November 17, 2023
  SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT The Brown Creeper is a Common Year-Round Resident of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.