Killdeer eggs/ mother
Posted by Sarah McWilliams on April 28, 2007
Q: I found a nest of killdeer eggs and two of the four eggs appeared stepped on. Later when I went back, the two broken eggs were missing. I was wondering if the mother could have done something with those two, and also will she continue to care for the remaining two, or will she abandon the nest all together?
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Wisconsin
Habitat: suburban/yard
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A: You're right on the money with your thinking - the mother has taken the eggshells away so they are less likely to make the nest obvious to predators. I think it's very likely that she will continue to incubate the remaining two eggs. If you do want to monitor the nest, be sure to do so at some distance so you don't further disturb her. You can use a binocular to get a good close look without approaching the nest. Best of luck.
John Wiessinger ( April 29, 2007)