Summary

  • Natural history: Despite one of the widest breeding ranges of any North American bird and a strong tolerance for nesting alongside people, Killdeer declined faster in Vermont (2.5 percent per year on Breeding Bird Survey routes) than across the continent as a whole (0.8 percent) between 1982 and 2007, a trend attributed mainly to the abandonment and reforestation of marginal farmland.
  • Status in VT: Decreased by 14% (155 to 133 blocks). Greatest decreases in Northeastern Highlands, Northern Green Mountains.
  • Data from other research: No additional data for VT.
  • Conservation status: State rank S5B
  • Other atlases: NY: little change; ON: -16%
  • VT’s role in North American range: VT is within the core of the range.
  • Causes of change since first Atlas:Abandonment and subsequent reforestation of marginal agricultural land; nest disruption by plowing and harvest; application of agricultural pesticides.
  • Management/Monitoring recommendations: No specific recommendations.

First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)

Species Account

Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)

Species Account

Killdeer Map 1 Killdeer Table 1 Killdeer Table 2

Change in Distribution

mapkey Killdeer Table 3

Links

Vermont eBird

Encyclopedia of Life

All About Birds