I do think the killdeer can run almost as fast as it can fly - have a hard time tracking it after it spots me (which is nearly instantly.) Always intrigued by that red ring around the eye.
A very nice capture. We don't have Killdeer, except as very rare vagrants, but have several other birds capable of running and instantly vanishing.
Your eye ring question, not sure for the Killdeer, but there are various ideas and uses.
In some species, it is thought to help them identify their own species and possibly even individual birds. It can signal they are ready to breed, depending upon colour or size.
Some birds have bare skin eye rings which are thought to help keep the actual eye clean and healthy as they feed in dirty conditions.
There are also some species which have dark rings around the eye which are thought to help cut down reflections to aid them in catching prey. I will let you take your pick.
Your eye ring question, not sure for the Killdeer, but there are various ideas and uses.
In some species, it is thought to help them identify their own species and possibly even individual birds. It can signal they are ready to breed, depending upon colour or size.
Some birds have bare skin eye rings which are thought to help keep the actual eye clean and healthy as they feed in dirty conditions.
There are also some species which have dark rings around the eye which are thought to help cut down reflections to aid them in catching prey. I will let you take your pick.
A greay close-up Fav.