Remember the Killdeer nest I spotted about 3 1/2 weeks ago. They hatched! My first time seeing baby Killdeer. I have been checking daily recently because I knew it was about time and so glad I did. I got to watch the family with 4 babies for about 45 minutes last night. Today the family is gone. Killdeer babies leave the nest within hours of hatching, often within the same day. As precocial birds, they are born with down feathers, can walk immediately, and leave the nest scrape entirely once their feathers dry, rather than staying in a nest to be fed.
Killdeer baby!
Parent with 2 babies.
Parent and baby. Less than 24 hours old.
It is hard to tell, but the little one on the left is flapping its little wings.
Killdeer in the grass.
Reminder, nest is in middle of rocky path at local elementary school.
Little legs.
Camouflage
Three little babies.
Killdeer are such pretty birds, and obviously are very independent. Some birds never want to leave the nest, but killdeer can’t wait to flee the nest and see the world.