bird id help; plover?

[forestgnome]

This bird was hunting puddles on the Kancamagus. He looked out of place, and I have no idea what he thought might be of interest in the puddles. The best I can find is LITTLE RINGED PLOVER.

Thanks for any help.

happy trails

 

[vegematic]

Cute little fellow. I know that bird as a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) which is in the plover family.

-vegematic

 

[NewHampshire]

Vegematic beat me too it. Dug out the ole Bird field guide and indeed I come up with Belted Plover aka Killdeer

Brian

 

[rocket21]

Were you laying on the ground when you took that photo?

 

[forestgnome]

Thanks! I agree with killdeer.

I wasn't quite laying on the ground, but I like to get to eye level with the creatures.

happy trails

 

[Grayjay]

Some nest on the roof of the Conway Elementary School. Closest thing around here to big beach.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Killdeer

They also nest on the roof where I work. It's a flat, rubber roof. They cover it in rounded river stones, so it must seem very similar to the beach or river banks as far as the birds are concerned. They nest there by laying their eggs amongst the stones, almost impossible to discern from the stones. I have only found them because I have spooked the bird off the nest. Very good camouflage from predators. The bird will feign injury to distract predators away from the nest, so if you see one that appears to be injured be very careful where you step as you are probably very near it's nest. When you hear their cry you will know why they are called "Killdeer".

KDT

 

[bikehikeskifish]

When you hear their cry you will know why they are called "Killdeer".

There is an audio clip here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killdeer

Tim

 

[bryan]

have seen groups of them around the lakes in carter notch and saw one this fall at the small pond off of the marston trail in baxter state park. always seemed strange to me. they're pretty cute.

bryan

 

[bikehikeskifish]

In a strange coincidence, an office-mate of mine has a desk calendar, which featured the Killdeer this week. We had a discussion about it (he's a photographer...) When I went out for a bike ride this afternoon, I saw one in the parking lot, walking around the puddles. The call it makes matches the sound clip in the Wikipedia article - and that's what caught my attention first. This was in Nashua, near the FAA center (exit 4/5 on the F.E.E.T.)

Tim