Jake Harper
The Killdeer is a conspicuous, easy-to-identify member of the plover family. It is a common breeding species in open habitats throughout eastern and coastal Texas. Killdeer chicks are vulnerable to cats, dogs, and humans in urban and suburban environments. If you find a lost Killdeer chick in Pasadena, Texas, it is best to bring it back to where you found it and search for its parents. If you know of another Killdeer family, you can also try releasing the chick with them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Pasadena, Texas |
| Bird Type | Killdeer |
| Habitat | Open or semi-open areas, both dry and wet locations |
| Nesting Sites | Gravel roofs, lawns, pastures, fields, mudflats, river banks, coastal estuaries |
| Feeding | Small invertebrates such as earthworms, grasshoppers, small frogs, dead fish |
| Breeding Season | Year-round, with courtship activities in mid-February and first nests in early March |
| Chick Care | Parents lead chicks to water sources for food; chicks are not fed directly by parents but must find food in areas with small invertebrates |
| Threats | Cats, dogs, human activity, vehicle traffic, agricultural spraying, oil and chemical contaminants |
| Rehabilitation | Raw egg, diced insects (cockroaches, earwigs, flies), mealworms, cat food |
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What You'll Learn
Killdeer chick diet
Killdeer chicks are what is known as ""precocial chicks", meaning they hatch out of the egg covered in thick down, can open their eyes quickly, and are able to walk within the first few days of their life. They imprint on their parents within minutes of hatching and follow them closely, observing the food they eat. Killdeer parents will lead their chicks to a feeding territory, generally with dense vegetation where the chicks can hide from predators, but they do not feed their chicks.
The diet of Killdeer chicks primarily consists of small invertebrates such as earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, ants, mosquito larvae, caddis flies, dragonflies, and true bugs. They also eat spiders, ticks, snails, centipedes, crayfish, and some seeds. Wet soil environments provide the invertebrate diversity and abundance that offers protein for growing chicks. Killdeer are opportunistic foragers and have been known to hunt frogs and eat dead fish.
If you find a Killdeer chick, it is best to try to return it to its parents as it will need to be with them to recognise food and to eat. If you are unable to locate the chick's parents, you can release it with another Killdeer family, preferably one with chicks of a similar size. If you are unable to do this, a wildlife rehabilitation centre will be able to care for the chick and prepare it for release back into the wild.
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Common nesting sites
Killdeer are a common breeding species in open habitats throughout eastern and coastal Texas, becoming less common in more arid western areas. They are a year-round resident of Texas, choosing a variety of habitats as their home. They are found throughout the state, with the possible exception of the Panhandle during frigid winter weather. They thrive in open or semi-open areas and are at home in either dry or wet locations.
Killdeer are often found on open ground, such as pastures, ploughed fields, and large lawns, even at a great distance from water. However, most successful nesting areas have some shallow water or other good feeding areas for the chicks. They are also commonly found around water, on mudflats, lakeshores, coastal estuaries, and drainage ditches. In rural areas, they favour heavily grazed pastures and gravel roadsides, while in urban areas, gravel parking lots and flat gravel rooftops have become common nesting sites.
The ideal nesting site for a killdeer would be near water, but they are adaptable and can manage under less-than-ideal conditions. After choosing a location, they find a shallow depression that can be lined with bits of grass, weeds, bark, shells, or rocks to form a crude nest. The building materials selected from the area help the nest blend into the surroundings.
In Texas, killdeer courtship activities begin in mid-February, and the first nests have eggs by early March. Due to the warm climate, killdeer have a long breeding season in Texas and often have several nest attempts per year. Extreme nesting dates for Dallas County in north Texas were 6 March (3 eggs) and 18 August (chicks), with a peak of nesting in mid-April.
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Threats to chicks
Killdeer chicks face a number of threats, both natural and human-induced. As a common shorebird, the Killdeer is preyed upon by larger birds and animals, including herring gulls, common crows, raccoons, and striped skunks. The birds, in particular, are the majority of predators in some areas during the breeding season. Killdeer parents use various methods to distract predators, including the famous "broken-wing display", also known as "injury feigning", where they flutter along the ground, luring intruders away from their nests and chicks.
In urban and suburban environments, Killdeer chicks are vulnerable to cats, dogs, and even curious children. Human activities pose additional threats, such as vehicle traffic, roadside and agricultural spraying, and oil and chemical contaminants. Climate change is also expected to affect the range of the Killdeer, with warming temperatures influencing their nesting habits and survival.
Killdeer chicks are precocial, meaning they are mobile and can leave the nest shortly after hatching. They feed themselves on insects and other invertebrates, and their parents lead them to suitable foraging habitats. However, if chicks are unable to access these food sources, they may be at risk of starvation.
Additionally, Killdeer often nest on gravel roofs, which can be dangerous for chicks. While they can survive leaps from low roofs, a parapet or other obstruction may prevent their escape, trapping them on roofs that reach high temperatures in the summer, posing a lethal threat.
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What to do if you find an abandoned chick
If you find an abandoned chick, the first thing to do is to assess whether it is injured or in immediate danger. If so, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. Most of the time, it is best to leave the chick alone, as its parents are likely nearby. Young birds often need to learn to find food and survive on their own, and their parents are usually keeping a watchful eye from a distance.
However, if you believe the chick is orphaned, there are a few things you can do to help. Firstly, try to locate the nest and, if possible, place the chick back in it. If the nest is inaccessible or unsafe, move the chick to a safer location nearby, such as dense shrubbery, where it can be heard by its family. If you know of another Killdeer family with chicks of a similar size, you can release the chick with them. Killdeer chicks are precocial, meaning they hatch with their eyes open and are capable of walking and feeding themselves. They imprint on their parents within minutes of hatching and rapidly grow by consuming large amounts of food.
If you live in an area with cats, dogs, or young children, it is advisable to keep them away from the chick, as they may pose a threat to its safety. Additionally, be cautious of busy roads or paths that could endanger the chick. Remember, in most cases, it is best to avoid removing the chick from the wild, as this can reduce its chances of survival.
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How to identify a chick's parents
Identifying a chick's parents can be a challenging task, but here are some methods that can help:
Appearance
One approach is to compare the chick's physical characteristics to those of potential parent breeds. This includes examining the chick's colouring, patterns, size, and distinct features such as extra toes or crests on their heads. Colouring can be a useful indicator, as chicks with yellow fluff tend to grow up to be white or buff, while those with black fluff become black. However, colour alone may not be sufficient, as some breeds have similar colour patterns, such as the chipmunk pattern found in several breeds including Welsummers and Speckled Sussex.
Lineage and Breeding
If you have information about the breeding process, this can provide valuable insights. If you know the specific breeds of both parents, then the chick's breed can be determined with certainty. In cases where the parents are of different breeds, the chick is considered a mixed breed, and its characteristics will reflect a combination of its parent breeds.
Markings and Bands
Some breeders use leg bands, wing bands, or toe punches to mark and identify individual chicks. These markings can be temporary or permanent and help keep track of lineage, age, and other characteristics. Band colours and sequences can indicate specific information about the chick, allowing for identification even if they wander off or mix with other flocks.
Hatcheries and Expert Resources
Hatcheries and specialised websites often provide valuable resources for chick identification. They may offer chick identification pages, photos, and videos with tips for recognising specific breeds. Additionally, forums and communities of poultry enthusiasts can be a great source of knowledge and assistance in identifying chick breeds.
Egg Characteristics
The type of egg from which the chick hatched can also provide clues about its breed. Most chicken breeds lay eggs in specific colour categories, such as white, brown, or blue/green, with certain shades associated with particular breeds.
By combining these methods and paying attention to multiple identifying factors, you can increase the likelihood of successfully identifying a chick's parents.
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Frequently asked questions
If you find a lost Killdeer chick, you should try to locate its family and return it to them. Killdeer chicks are covered in thick down when they hatch and are able to walk and follow their parents almost immediately. If you find a chick that appears to be lost, you can try to locate its family and release it with them. Do not attempt to feed the chick, as it needs to learn to recognise food from its parents.
If you are unable to locate the chick's immediate family, you can try to find another Killdeer family with chicks of a similar size and release it with them. Killdeer are widespread in Texas, so you should be able to find another family relatively easily.
If you are unable to find another Killdeer family, you can contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or rescue organisation for assistance. They will have experience in caring for Killdeer chicks and can provide the necessary food and care until the chick can be released back into the wild.
Yes, it is important to be cautious when approaching Killdeer chicks or their nesting sites. In urban and suburban environments, Killdeer eggs and chicks are vulnerable to cats, dogs, and curious children. Additionally, Killdeer parents are protective of their young and may exhibit defensive behaviours if they feel threatened. When approaching a nesting site, be cautious and respectful to avoid any potential conflicts with the parent birds.
