Did you know one of the most
unusual birds makes its home
right here in Wisconsin?
is the killdeer!
We filmed a killdeer
in its native habitat
in Baileys Harbor, Door County.
Killdeers are shorebirds
in the plover family.
Like most shorebirds,
they are known for skinny legs
and spritely running.
They get their name
from the shrill noise
they make when calling out.
The call sounds somewhat like...
Killdeer don't build
traditional nests.
Instead, they create
a small depression in the dirt,
known as a “scrape,”
and surround it
with pebbles and debris.
Sandy, gravelly beaches
are ideal for this tiny bird,
but killdeer scrapes
can often be found
on gravel rooftops,
golf courses,
and even parking lots.
Yikes!
Watch out!
Because the killdeer lays
its eggs out in the open,
it has created
a remarkable adaptation.
If a killdeer fears
its nest is in danger,
killdeer moms and dads
will pretend to have
a broken wing.
to lure predetors away.
Now that's a devoted parent!
No actual deer were harmed
in the making of this video.
Explore more nature,
with PBS Wisconsin.