Killdeer can be found in northern Utah all year long, and it isn’t unusual to see flocks of them during the winter.
Springtime Killdeer on Antelope Island – Nikon D300, f10, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light (2012)
However, some of these plovers may head to warmer climates when it gets really cold and then migrate back here in the spring. Lately, I’ve seen more Killdeer than I have all winter, and some of these birds may be heading to their breeding grounds even further north than I am.
A few nights ago, I opened the door to check out the cloud cover and weather conditions before going to bed. For the first time since I moved to Utah, I heard a flock of calling Killdeer flying past in the pitch-black night. I couldn’t help but laugh because it seemed so odd to hear them calling out in the dark. To my ears, there seemed to be quite a few of the birds flying past.
You can listen to a Killdeer calling in flight here.
I did some research and found that they do migrate during the night as well as during day. So perhaps the birds I heard were winging their way north and were attracted by our city lights. I enjoyed hearing the Killdeer flying past after dark, even though I couldn’t see or photograph them.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Killdeer photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love the pic; especially the vivid eye of the killdeer. Great info too. I can’t begin to tell you how much I learn from your posts. Thanks Mia.
What a deliightful lullaby to hear…
Don’t you just love serendipity? If you’d dawdled a few minutes or exercised your diligence just a few minutes earlier, you’d have missed the glorious sounds (and knowledge) of killdeer behavior. Thank you for checking the skies!
I enjoyed hearing killdeer but not nearly as much as my Norwegian Elkhound did. We both thank you for that experience.
Ah, but you could hear them. Just a night time lullaby Mia. 🙂
Interesting information…GORGEOUS bird!!!
Thanks for this interesting information on Kildeers, Mia. I learn so much about birds and photographing wildlife by reading your blog. Thank you for doing what I wish I could – being,observing and shooting in the field (nearly) every day, and sharing your experiences so accurately and candidly.