Killdeer parents
brood their chicks almost constantly for the first 3 days, and on and off
up until the 17th day after hatching when the young can thermoregulate.
Daddy Killdeer are quite attentive parents and any of the adults pictured could be the dad. In many shorebird species, all incubating and brood-rearing is the responsibility of the dad. Killdeer are actually unusual in the fact that the females stick around after laying the eggs. Killdeer chicks are also capable of flight between the 20th and 31st day after hatching. (Thanks to Kristin Purdy for this information!) |