Description:
The killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, is a robin-sized member of the plover family that reaches 8-10 inches in length.  They are distinguished from other plovers by 2 black bands on the breast and neck.    Body color is brown on the crown of the head, back, and wings, while the breast, collar, forehead, and underside of the body are white.  A thin white stripe also runs behind the eye.  The rump is brown-red to rust.  The bill is short and dark in color. The legs are flesh colored.  The tail is long and tapers.  There is a black subterminal band, and a white terminal band.  The oute tail feathers are barred with white.  A red ring lines the dark eye.  Juveniles resemble adults, but young birds have only one black band on the breast and neck. 

Habitat:
Killdeer utilize a variety of habitats including shorelines, dunes and uplands.  They may use either fresh water or salt water areas.  Nesting habitat is generally sand or gravel close to the water line on beaches

Similar Species:
Adult killdeer are distinguished by 2 black bands on the neck and breast, a trait not shared by any other plover species.  However, young killdeer often have only 1 black band, and are mistaken for the piping plover (Charadrius melodus), Wilson's plover (Charadrius wilsonia), or the semippalmated plover (Chardarius semipalmatus). 

Range:
Killdeer breed over much of North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south through most of the United States.  It winters primarily in the southern United States, but may be found as far north as British Columbia on the west coast;  and New jersey on the east coast.