Charadrius vociferus
Gravel, short grass, parking lots, and shorelines across most of the continent. Three-toed shorebird track, no useful hind toe, about 1 inch.
What does a killdeer look like?
Brown above, white below, with two black rings across the breast.
What do killdeer tracks look like?
A small three-toed print on mud or gravel. Two black bands across the chest identify the bird.
- Three-toed shorebird track, no useful hind toe, about 1 inch
- Often on gravel or a flat roof
- Two black breast bands if seen
- Orange rump in flight
- Broken-wing display near a nest
What does killdeer poop look like?
Whitewash on gravel near a nest scrape, which is only a few pebbles. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Gravel, short grass, parking lots, and shorelines across most of the continent. Typical places: field, yard. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Sandhill crane identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
A brown-and-white shorebird with two black bands across the chest, often far from water.
How to tell a killdeer from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Sandhill crane. Three toes, no useful hind toe. Tall gray bird, red crown, bustle of feathers over the tail.
Killdeer field marks
- Three-toed shorebird track, no useful hind toe, about 1 inch
- Often on gravel or a flat roof
- Two black breast bands if seen
- Orange rump in flight
Where the sign shows up
Gravel, short grass, parking lots, and shorelines across most of the continent. Typical places: field, yard. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
A small three-toed print on mud or gravel. Two black bands across the chest identify the bird. Whitewash on gravel near a nest scrape, which is only a few pebbles.
Common questions
What does a killdeer look like?
A brown-and-white shorebird with two black bands across the chest, often far from water.