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Submitted By
Tania Tucker
Riley, Oregon, USA
Description
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.
Category
Species
Tags
Killdeer Mama A Single Parent
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.
I have been watching both parents of killdeers with four eggs for a few weeks now and over the past week I noticed only one parent, I fear my cat or one of the feral cats around may have gotten one of the parents. Hopefully he will come back later after they have hatched as I’ve been reading up on them.