KILLDEERS Meaning and
Definition
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Killdeers are medium-sized shorebirds that belong to the Charadriidae family. Scientifically known as Charadrius vociferous, they are known for their distinctive appearance and behavior. This species is widespread throughout the Americas, breeding in the northern regions and migrating to southern regions during winter.
Killdeers have a plump body, with a length of around 9-11 inches (23-28 cm). They have a brownish upper body with two black breast bands that separate the white throat and belly. Their long legs are pale and their bills are black. Killdeers are recognized for their call, which gives them their common name. Their call is a loud, melodious "kil-dee" or "dee-dee-dee."
These birds typically inhabit open areas, including grasslands, farmlands, and pastures. Their nests consist of shallow depressions on the ground, often made with small stones or shells. Killdeers are known for their "broken-wing" display, which they employ to distract potential predators away from their nests. They feign an injury by dragging and fluttering one wing as if they are incapable of flying, luring predators away from their vulnerable eggs or chicks.
Killdeers are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, earthworms, small crustaceans, and mollusks. They forage by running rapidly on the ground, pecking or probing the soil with their bills. During migration, these birds may also feed on berries and seeds. They are monogamous and form pair bonds during the breeding season.
Overall, killdeers are characterized by their distinctive appearance, striking vocalizations, and unique nesting habits, making them a fascinating species to observe in their natural habitats.
Common Misspellings for KILLDEERS
Etymology of KILLDEERS
The word killdeer refers to a species of medium-sized plover bird, known for its distinctive loud, repetitive call. The etymology of the word killdeer is interesting because it is an example of an onomatopoeic word, which means that it imitates the sound it represents.
The word killdeer is derived from the bird's common call or vocalization, which, in English, is rendered as kill-dee or kill-deeah. The bird's call sounds similar to that pronunciation, so the name was formed to imitate the sound of its call.
It is important to note that the bird's call is not actually the word killdeer in an English language sense but an approximation of the sound made by the bird. Over time, this onomatopoeic representation became the accepted name for the bird species, killdeer.
Similar spelling word for KILLDEERS
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