Killdeer Habitat
Killdeer are known to be extremely adaptable birds, living in human-altered landscapes throughout North America. This unusual bird is found to nest in open areas with very little vegetation. Their "specific nest sites include lawns; sod farms; vacant lots; heavily grazed pastures; gardens; trails; and gravel parking lots, roadways, and rooftops." These flexible birds thrive in areas that have been manipulated by human beings, not needing trees to nest. This makes their habitat range larger due to the hefty amount of development that has occurred in not only Georgia but of North America.
Though human-based manipulations to the existing landscape provide ideal habitats for the Killdeer, "the relationship between the Killdeer and humans is two-sided." Years ago, these birds were game for hunters, decreasing the population drastically. However, they are now a protected species and can no longer be legally killed. Another negative factor in the relationship between Killdeer and humans is "because they [Killdeer] are regularly found close to agriculture, human habitations, and other areas where pesticide use can be heavy, they may be at higher risk of poisoning by chemical pollutants." This danger can be diminished by minimizing the use of harmful pesticides in our environment. Also, their "natural nesting habitat on river sandbars and banks has been lost to changes in water flow, development, or excessive use by people." Again, human manipulation such as increased use of impervious surfaces increases water runoff resulting in the decrease of their natural habitats.
In conclusion, the Killdeer is a fairly resilient bird that has adapted extremely well to not only development but human error in-itself. In conclusion, "despite these challenges, this adaptable bird has benefited tremendously from many human-altered landscapes, expanding into new environments and successfully habituating to high levels of human activity."
Now, let's go back to the previous page's information. We determined the highest priority area that took into account population density, tree cover, and tree stocking level. This area is heavily populated with little tree cover. This area could be an ideal habitat for the Killdee, however, the amount of development present in this area of Athens makes this area a high-risk area in terms of safety. The roads, foot traffic, and runoff would wreck their habitat in an instant. The Killdee can withstand a small amount of human manipulation but not to this extent. The bird would most-likely thrive in the lightest blue to light orange areas because they have moderate population density and moderate tree cover.
By increasing the amount of tree cover in this high-priority area, the bird would not benefit and, therefore, would not thrive. They prefer more open landscapes.
The Athens Country Club area is more-than-likely one of the best places for Killdee to thrive. There is still some sense of human alteration but there is a nice sprawling area of open grass for the birds to nest.