killdeer

noun kill·deer \ ˈkil-ˌdir \

Definition of killdeer

plural killdeers or killdeer

: an American plover (Charadrius vociferus) characterized by two black breast bands and a plaintive penetrating cry

Recent Examples of killdeer from the Web

At the ballfields a pair of killdeer occupied the same area that seems to attract them each year.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "A variety of birds share park’s lake, grass and trees | Charlotte Observer," 9 Mar. 2018
Also, 19 killdeer were lined up along the water’s edge, and a very cold-looking Eastern phoebe surveyed the ice.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Birders find local rarities at neighborhood ponds, Lake Norman | Charlotte Observer," 11 Jan. 2018
A lovely bird in the plover family, killdeer have black, white and tan on long legs with bright orange eyes.

— anna thomas bates, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Take a cue from nature and 'hide' veggies in plain sight," 28 June 2017
A killdeer flew high above, and there were cardinals, a little farther away, sticking closer to the ground.

— rick rojas, New York Times, "Invisible ‘Bird Killer’ Lurks in Revitalized New Jersey Meadowlands," 26 Apr. 2017
Meanwhile, the disease has killed thousands of waterbirds, as well as nearly 200 bald eagles and a handful of geese, hawks, owls, killdeer, and probably more avian species.

— National Geographic, "Deadly Brain Disease Is Driving Swamp Birds Insane," 18 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'killdeer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

This attractive dark-eyed bird has a loud, rather sad cry that to some people sounds like “Kill deer! Kill deer!” Killdeers are not vicious birds. They have no special hatred of deer, and they do not eat venison. The killdeer is simply an animal that got its name from human interpretation of its call.

Illustration of killdeer

Origin and Etymology of killdeer

imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1731

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

KILLDEER Defined for Kids

killdeer

noun kill·deer \ ˈkil-ˌdir \

Definition of killdeer for Students

: a grayish brown North American bird that has a high-pitched mournful call

History for killdeer

Killdeers are not vicious birds. They have no particular hatred for deer, but to some people the cry of these birds must have sounded like “Kill deer! Kill deer! Kill deer!” That is why the bird got its unusual name.