Island Interviews: Killdeer

The killdeer is a species of bird often seen on the islands.

USFWS/Grayson Smith

If we could interview our islands’ non-human residents, what would we learn from them?

A Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park ranger recently sat down with one of the harbor islands’ most outspoken residents: the killdeer. This species lives near sandbars and mudflats but--unlike other shorebirds--can also be found on lawns, at airports, or even on sports fields. On a sunny morning near the pollinator garden at Spectacle Island, our ranger got the scoop on the bird’s acting career, where the species name comes from, and more.

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RANGER: Thanks for welcoming me!

KILLDEER: Of course. And don’t worry about taking your shoes off. The floor is gravel.

RANGER: You have an incredible view of the harbor from your home.

KILLDEER: Thank you. It’s a view worth sharing. Our kids like watching the sunset from the nest.

RANGER: So is it true what they say? Do you really nest out in the open?

KILLDEER: Yes! On the gravel.

RANGER: I’m interested to know why. Is it unsafe?

KILLDEER: Not really. You might think a nest in a tree is the safest option, but the truth is, our nests are very inconspicuous. They actually benefit from being down on the ground where—well, let’s see. Can you spot my nest?

RANGER: ... No.

KILLDEER: Yep, so it’s just right over here.

RANGER: Oh my gosh, it was two feet in front of my face.

KILLDEER: Yeah! Our eggs and nests are adapted to blend in perfectly with the ground. It’s in our intuition.

RANGER: Speaking of intuition, you’re reputed to be one of the best actors living on the island. Can you tell me about your background?

KILLDEER: You’re too kind! I’m just one of the loudest. Acting has always been a part of my life. I remember being a few days old and seeing my mom and dad’s acts. That memory stuck with me. So when I was old enough to leave the nest, I decided to study drama in college and then later joined a theater company.

RANGER: Do you follow in your parents’ footsteps?

KILLDEER: Yes. My first broken-wing performance was two years ago.

RANGER: What’s that?

KILLDEER: When a predator approaches the nest, we want to lead it away. We start acting. It’s pretty dramatic! I call out in a loud soprano voice to get attention. I hunker down and stretch out my tail. Then I start holding up my wing and shaking as if my wing is broken. This makes me look like an easy meal for a predator. It will follow. I’ll move a few feet, then do the same thing over and over until we’ve left the area of the nest, and then I snap out of character and fly away quick as I can.

RANGER: Wow. That is some high-stakes acting.

KILLDEER: Yep. So for all the humans visiting the island, try to leave the immediate area if you see me or another member of my family doing this! We want to keep our babies safe.

RANGER: Of course. And I did have one last question from our human audience, if that’s okay.

KILLDEER: Sure!

RANGER: Why "killdeer?"

KILLDEER: That’s one of the songs that male killdeer like my husband sing. Usually when flying. People thought it sounded like, "ki-dee," but I guess "killdeer" was easier to remember!

RANGER: And what a memorable sound it is.

Learn More about Killdeer:

Killdeer (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Sound Gallery - Killdeer - Natural Sounds (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)