[Birdtalk] Killdeer Hatchling

[Jeff Bilsky]

Thanks John - based on your description and the appearance of the young one,
it appears likely that it is only a few hours old so perhaps by this
afternoon it will be up and running around.....although with the kestrel
nest right near by it could make for an interesting (and short) life.

On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 8:03 AM, John CAVITT <JCAVITT at weber.edu> wrote:

> Adults will brood young for a week or so but yg are fully mobile within
> 24hr of hatching.  Adult shorebirds don't actually feed their young.  They
> are precocial so young forage on their own but parents stay with young to
> lead them to forage sites, protect from predators and brood them.  So your
> Killdeer adults are doing exactly what they should.
>
> Cheers
>
> JFC
>
> John F. Cavitt PhD, Director
> Office of Undergraduate Research
> Professor of Zoology
>
> Mailing Address
> Dept. of Zoology
> Weber State University
> 2505 University Circle
> Ogden, UT 84408-2505
>
> (801) 626-6172
> (801) 626-8541
> Avian Ecology Lab
> (801) 626-8634
> cell:(801) 791-4438
> FAX: (801) 626-6861
> homepage: http://faculty.weber.edu/jcavitt
> http://departments.weber.edu/avianecologylab
>
>
>
>
>
> "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and
> beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."
>
>
> Aldo Leopold
>
>
> >>> Jeff Bilsky <jbilsky at gmail.com> 4/30/2009 7:54 AM >>>
> There is a tiny killdeer hatchling and two very anxious parents on a small
> strip of grass in between the street and a parking lot across from my
> office. There is a Kestrel eying them very closely. The tiny killdeer can't
> even hold its head up - it is just flopped in the grass and the parents
> keep
> landing in the middle of the street with cars zipping past. Does anyone
> know
> how long after hatching before a "new" killdeer is up and really able to
> move. I saw this little one move a bit but he doesn't seem to have much
> energy. And unfortunately the adults seem more interested in chasing off
> predators and freaking out than feeding their offspring - which I can
> understand with all the threats around. I know nature gets by without my
> help but its tough not to want to do something if I can......
>
> --
> Jeff Bilsky
> Salt Lake City
> jbilsky at gmail.com
> www.endlesswilderness.com
> twitter.com/Bilsky
>
>


-- 
Jeff Bilsky
Salt Lake City
jbilsky at gmail.com
www.endlesswilderness.com
twitter.com/Bilsky
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