There are no flock members in this family.

• Subfamily Vanellinae- Lapwings
• There are no flock members in this subfamily.
• Subfamily Charadriinae- Plovers

Charadrius vociferus- Killdeer

View range map of Killdeer here.

The Killdeer is the most widespread American plover. This shorebird has adapted well to environments which have been altered by humans, and will nest in agricultural fields and parks. The Killdeer's long thin pink legs and two black neck bands make it easy to identify in parking lots and suburban neighborhoods throughout the United States. The Killdeer feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, especially earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles, and seeds. It runs along, stopping abruptly to pick at the ground, before bobbing its head and moving on again. The loud piercing call of the Killdeer is the origin of this bird's name. The Killdeer nest is just a scrape in the ground, where the female lays four clay colored eggs. In warm weather the pair may shade their eggs with their wings in order to prevent the onset of incubation before the clutch of eggs is complete. The eggs are incubated for about 24 days, by both parents. If the parents sense danger, one will perform the broken-wing distraction display to move the predator's attention away from the nest. The bird flaps on the ground and drags its wing pretending to be hurt, and so drawing the predator away from the vulnerable nest, by appearing to be an easier target. When the predator approaches the Killdeer flies away. The chicks are downy and active, and will leave the nest shortly after hatching. The parents do not feed them, but will lead them to food. They will stay closely together until the chicks can fly at 20-30 days of age. The Killdeer is vulnerable to pesticide poisoning and collisions with cars and buildings, because it nests close to human habitation, and often forages on lawns where chemicals are used.

There are no flock members in this family.

Recurvirostra americana- American Avocet

There are no flock members in this family.

• Subfamily Scolopacinae- Sandpipers and Allies

 

View range map of Long-billed Curlew here.

The Long-billed Curlew is the largest (length 23") regularly occurring shorebird in North America. The Long-billed Curlew breeds in open country in the north eastern United States and south eastern Canada. The birds winter along the Gulf Coast, central California and South America. During the breeding season, the Long-billed Curlew eats insects. In winter it forages for crabs, mollusks and crayfish using its long bill to probe beneath the surface while walking. Like other curlew species, the Long-billed Curlew has a ringing call from which it gets its name. The nest is a scrape in the ground made by the male during courtship. The nest is lined with a variety of items including pebbles, grasses, droppings, twigs and stems. Four slightly greenish eggs are laid and both parents incubate. As soon as the chicks hatch, the adults remove the egg shells by flying in different directions away from the nest before dropping them. The chicks are precocial and able to feed themselves within hours of hatching. They are brooded by the parents for the first week and in hot weather the parents will shade the chicks until about two weeks of age. Overharvesting of the Long-billed Curlew during the period 1850-1916, when it was hunted during migration in large numbers, caused dramatic declines. While the Long-billed Curlew was not considered as desirable by market hunters as the now critically endangered (possibly extinct) Numenius borealis Eskimo Curlew, hunting pressure was still high, and the Long-billed Curlew is now considered vulnerable throughout its range. The loss of grassland breeding habitat is the greatest threat to this species today. Loss of wintering habitat is also a threat.

 

 

 

• Subfamily Phalaropodinae- Phalaropes
• There are no flock members in this subfamily.

 

• Subfamily Larinae- Gulls
• There are no flock members in this subfamily.
• Subfamily Sterninae- Terns

Sternula antillarum- Least Tern

I'm Endangered

View range map of Least Tern here.

The Least Tern is the smallest (length 9") tern in North America and is found nesting on sandy beaches along the southern coasts of the United States and on river banks of the interior. The Least Tern hovers, and then plunges into water to catch fish. It also forages in shallow fresh and salt water for crustaceans. During courtship the male performs spectacular aerial displays after which he presents the female with a fish. Least Terns nest in a scrape in the sand or gravel, sometimes even on gravel rooftops with some success. The three olive-brown eggs are incubated by the pair, who defend the nest aggressively. The chicks are brooded by both parents for 1-2 days then they leave the nest. The fledglings are fed fish by the parents, but may also eat insects which they peck at. Within 4-8 weeks of fledging the chicks depart the breeding colony and loaf with other birds before departing on migration. The Least Tern was hunted extensively as an adornment for women's hats during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This combined with egg collecting led to a dramatic decline in numbers. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1916 and changing attitudes towards conservation ended this exploitation. Much habitat along the interior breeding grounds has been lost due to building of dams. Many populations declined drastically during 1950s-1970s, due to human disturbance at beaches, and pesticide poisoning, but with increased protection these populations have increased. Beach side resort development and human use of beach nesting sites continues to be a threat to the Least Tern which has been listed as endangered since 1985.

• Subfamily Rynchopinae- Skimmers
• There are no flock members in this subfamily.

There are no flock members in this family.