Comments on: Take the bird nest location quiz!

By: Dave Heiser

Dave Heiser — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:07:35 +0000

Nona, how fun that you got to see them! They leave so quickly (as you know), so it’s a special treat…one that I’m sad I missed. Hope you get to see all four hatch this time! :-)

By: Nona

Nona — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:50:30 +0000

We live in the Fort Worth, Texas area and have just watched a killdeer family hatch 3 of their 4 eggs. The “nest” was only feet from a roadway and I had serious doubts that they would be undisturbed long enough to hatch. But they did. It took almost 4 weeks (most websites I found said 24 to 28 days of those parents taking turns in the 100+ degree heat. Only two days after hatching, they are gone and all that is left is the one lonely unhatched egg.

We do have another “nest” a little further down the same road and we’re watching those 4 eggs and hope to see those chicks when they hatch too. Absolutely precious little babies.

By: Dave Heiser

Dave Heiser — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:44:35 +0000

Kelly, probably still another week or two. Seemed like the kildeer eggs we saw took between 2-3 weeks to hatch (closer to three). So how’s the weather up in North Dakota? I’d love to visit that part of the country some day!

P.S. Just did some research and found the incubation period is 24-26 days. Also, within 24 hours after hatching, the young leave the nest with the parents.

By: Kelly J

Kelly J — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:23:56 +0000

We currently have a killdeer nesting in our vacant lot next door to our home in North Dakota. Incidently, not close to any shore. We have been working on trees, a sprinkler system, and killing weeds in preparation for seeding when we noticed the mother calling out and faking the broken wing. so precious to see her protect her young. I searched for quite awhile before I found 3 perfectly camoflauged grey and brown speckled eggs lying right in the dirt. We are leaving that quadrant of the yard undisturbed until her eggs hatch. It has been a week since I noticed them. How long before they hatch?

By: Dave Heiser

Dave Heiser — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:57:15 +0000

C, thanks for stopping by! Not sure where to direct you on bird calls…sounds fun, though!

Cindyzlogic, only using a rgular Canon digital with no extra lenses. It’s a Canon Powershot A620. For us, it’s been a great family camera.

By: cindyzlogic

cindyzlogic — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:16:36 +0000

Man, I totally love the Killdeer! You lucky person. Very good pictures, too. They are so clear! What camera do you use?

By: Betsy

Betsy — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:11:44 +0000

Cute post, Dave… The birds usually do find a good place to nest, don’t they????

Love the Kildeer. Beautiful bird!

My Bluebirds fledged sometime while we were in North Carolina. The nest is empty!!!!! I was hoping to see them fledge. Oh Well!!! I hope they return to do it again.

Betsy

By: Bird Girl

Bird Girl — Sun, 31 May 2009 12:29:14 +0000

That was a great find, Dave! And you’ll look forward to going to church for more than a sermon ;-) Don’t forget…just as soon as those babies hatch…they are ready to go – and will walk away from the nest…so don’t miss it! They are the cutest babies you EVER did see!

By: NCmountainwoman

NCmountainwoman — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:33:25 +0000

I have never understood the Killdeer logic in nest location. It would seem to be associated with a very high mortality…eggs and chicks. Loved the guy in the tree!

By: sue

sue — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:07:55 +0000

I’ve heard of the killdeer before but that’s amazing–I didn’t realize they’d be potentially visiting our area here! Thanks for the heads up. Great photos!