Which common bird made its nest underneath this cucumber plant?
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) bird laid eggs underneath this cucumber plant.
Christiana Huss,©2024, Clemson Extension
These eggs were laid by a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), who gets its name from their characteristic “kill-dee kill-dee” call heard as they fly over grassy fields. They should be a welcomed guest on farms since they eat mostly insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. Since their eggs are laid on the ground in open areas, Killdeer protect their nests by feigning injury and running with a bent wing to lure predators away from their young. When we took this photo, the Killdeer were noticeably loud, trying to get our attention away from their eggs. Learn more about Killdeer here.
