 Breeding evidence |
 Relative abundance |
 Probability of observation |
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Click on plot to view table of mean abundance
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Number of squares
Long-term BBS trends
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-1.09 (-1.59 - -0.599)|
Mean abundance (number of birds detected per 5 min. point count) and percentage of squares occupied by region Bird Conservation Regions [abund. plot]
[%squares plot]
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Atlas Results
Killdeer were observed across most of the province in 1,838 atlas squares, ubiquitous from the Boreal Transition ecoregion southward. Their loud and persistent calls make them easy to detect, and they were heard at nearly 3,000 point count locations. Killdeer were infrequently encountered in the boreal forest, often found at locations where human infrastructure such as mine sites, landing strips, and settlements resulted in the creation of suitable habitat. None were observed in the Selwyn Lake uplands. An early nesting migrant, breeding was confirmed as early as 27 April, with adults performing distraction displays as late as 30 August.
Note: During all years of the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas drought conditions persisted and the Atlas range maps for all waterfowl, waterbirds, and wetland-associated species should be viewed as characteristic of distribution and abundance during dry conditions. Read the full drought statement here.
Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:
The Killdeer is the most widespread and familiar of our shorebirds. Before all evidence of winter is gone, we may hear from somewhere overhead killdee killdee, a hopeful beginning for a new season. Breeds across Canada from the Yukon to the Maritimes and across the northern tier of US states. Winters throughout the US, Mexico, Central America and northern South America.
In settled areas it is common, nesting on beaches, in fallow fields, in heavily grazed pastures, and in any barren area. In the closed boreal forest it is uncommon and local, restricted to disturbed areas such as settlements, roadsides, and gravel pits (Smith 1996). Most often there is water nearby and clear visibility of possible predators.
The Killdeer is a conspicuous summer resident in all but the extreme northeast of the province (Smith 1996).
Original text by P. Lawrence Beckie. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky
Read more about the Killdeer in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.
Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. Killdeer in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=KILL&lang=en [14 Nov 2025]
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