Tania Tucker
Riley, Oregon, USA
I have been watching this Killdeer bird and her nest for a little over a week now. According to all the articles I have read this species is monogamous and both parent birds take part in the nest protection and incubation process. Sadly this Killdeer seems to be a single parent and often has to leave the nest alone in search of food. Last night she was gone the whole night. I am hoping her eggs did no freeze as we are still having some nights that drop to freezing temps ; until June arrives. I will keep on the lookout for the mother and keep monitoring the nest. I have yest to find a specific answer on how long the Killdeer eggs can be viable without incubation and freezing temps.
Since she stayed away all night, I suspect a predator killed the killdeer mother.
We watched a Killdeer nest last month, and it was only the mother incubating the eggs, The father showed up after the eggs hatched.