Killdeer, members of the plover family, exhibit a consistent nesting behavior: constructing their nests directly on the ground. This characteristic choice is influenced by a confluence of factors, primarily related to predator avoidance and resource availability. The open ground nesting strategy allows for a wide field of vision, enabling the birds to detect approaching threats from a considerable distance. An example includes a killdeer placing its eggs in a gravel parking lot, relying on camouflage for protection.
This nesting strategy offers significant advantages for the killdeer, especially in environments where elevated nesting sites are scarce or present their own risks. Open areas, such as agricultural fields, gravel patches, and sparsely vegetated terrain, often provide ample foraging opportunities in close proximity to the nest site. Furthermore, the killdeer’s mottled plumage provides effective camouflage against the ground, aiding in concealment from predators. Historically, this adaptation has proven successful, contributing to the species’ widespread distribution across North America.
