While driving the auto tour road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, I spotted a Killdeer at Sequoyah foraging along the gravel shoulder. These birds have become a familiar sight for me during repeated visits to the refuge, but this quiet roadside moment stood out.
The morning was cold and clear. I pulled over and watched as the Killdeer moved steadily along the edge of the road, picking through small stones and dried grass for insects. I rested my camera on a beanbag against the open truck window and waited for the bird to pause.
Killdeer at Sequoyah and Roadside Foraging Behavior
Killdeer are ground-nesting shorebirds that prefer open areas with short vegetation and exposed soil. Roadsides, gravel lots, and open fields often resemble their natural habitat, which is why they thrive in places like Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Their brown, tan, and white plumage blends easily into gravel and dry grass. The two bold black breast bands are their most distinctive feature. While they appear calm while feeding, Killdeer are highly alert and quick to react to movement.
During nesting season, they are well known for their broken-wing display, a behavior used to lure predators away from eggs or chicks. Even outside breeding season, that cautious instinct never really shuts off.
Seasonal Movement of Killdeer in Oklahoma
Killdeer are migratory in the northern parts of their range, but many remain in the southern United States year-round. Oklahoma sits in the middle of that divide. Some birds migrate south in winter, while others stay and continue feeding through the cold months.
That adaptability is one reason Killdeer are so widespread across North America. They shift easily between wetlands, farm fields, city parks, and refuge roads.
You can read more detailed species biology from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology here:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer/
Photographing Killdeer at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Photographing a Killdeer at Sequoyah takes patience more than anything else. These birds move in short bursts and rarely stay still for long. I kept my shutter speed high and stayed low in the truck to avoid spooking it.
Roadside shooting creates tough angles and cluttered backgrounds, but it also offers close access when birds become comfortable with passing vehicles. In this case, the Killdeer never seemed concerned by my presence and continued feeding naturally.
Moments like this remind me why I keep returning to this refuge. The variety of species and behaviors changes with the seasons, but there is always something worth slowing down for.
Image Information
- Date: 12/03/23
- Time: 11:20 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 160
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter: 1/800
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 500mm