Wisconsin Ornithology: Killdeer Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Wis Kid: As there has been no owner action in the last 30 days, I am regrettably forced to archive this listing.

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Hidden : 6/3/2012
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Wisconsin Ornithology

This series highlights several of my favorite birds, all of which can be found in Wisconsin. I have found all of the birds included in the series (with one exception). Each cache is somehow related to the highlighted bird. In many cases you will find hints to finding the cache in the information provided about each bird. Each cache is hidden in roughly the environment the bird can be found. None of the caches are hidden in a nesting box or a fake nest (with one exception of a very non-standard nest), so if you find a nest or nesting box—please leave it alone it has nothing to do with the cache.



Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)


While technically a shore bird, Killdeer are very often found far from water. Killdeer like areas with low vegetation, such as beaches and sandbars. But they are equally happy on pastures, lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and even parking lots. Since these locations frequently overlap with human activity, Killdeer are perhaps the most commonly seen of all shore birds. This compatibility with humans also means that the Killdeer population is doing quite well. Killdeer are year round residences of the southern part of the United States, northern Mexico and portions of Peru. However, in the summer their range will extend as far north as southern Alaska. While in the fall the northern population migrates as far south as Latin America.

The diet of the Killdeer consists primarily of insects, but they will also eat frogs, crayfish, dead minnows, snails, earthworms, and even an occasional seed. Killdeer received their name from their frequent call kill-deer, kill-deer. Killdeer, members of the Plover family, are so vocal, that they have also been called the Chattering Plover and the Noisy Plover.

My favorite time to observe Killdeer is during nesting season, as they can be quite the actors. The Killdeer nest begins as a slight scratched depression on the ground. The female Killdeer will then lay 4-6 pebble colored eggs in this depression. The pair may then add a number of additional pebbles and small stones to this “nest.” If you approach the nest at this point, you will see one of the great performances of the animal kingdom. One of the parents will fly near you and give a very plaintive cry. It will then drop one of its wings, giving the impression that the wing is broken. If you follow this easy “meal” it will lead you away from the nest, always managing to hop just out of reach. If you continue to follow this “wounded” bird, you will find that the bird is miraculously heal just as soon as it reaches a safe distance from the nest. While this trick works for predators, it has little effect on animals such as cattle and horses whose hooves can inadvertently crush the exposed eggs. In this case the Killdeer will play a different role. It will fluff its’ feathers and raise its’ tail over its’ head and then charge the approaching threat.

Dog lovers please note: While Prairie Moraine County Park contains an excellence dog park, the cache is hidden in the part of the park that is not a dog park. Dogs must on a leash in this section of the park.

This cache is located in Prairie Moraine County Park. Permit for placement has been approved by the Dane County Parks Department. A copy of the permit maybe obtained by emailing me at the above link.
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Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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