Killdeer

The Killdeer’s broken-wing act leads predators away from a nest.

To guard against large hoofed animals (cows, horses), the Killdeer fluffs itself up, displaying its tail over its head, and runs at the beast to attempt to make it change its path.

A well-known denizen of dry habitats, the Killdeer is actually a proficient swimmer. Adults swim well in swift-flowing water, and chicks can swim across small streams.

Year-round range across much of the U.S (excluding Great Lakes and New England), and full western coast of Peru.

Oldest known Killdeer was 10 years 11 months old.