What a relief! This adult Killdeer is eating on their own, which we were not certain if they would be able to do. Killdeer are notoriously high stress birds in rehabilitation so they often do not eat because of stress, and this one additionally has "ataxia" which means they are uncoordinated. It is likely this bird flew into a structure, since it was found at the base of a building and has a broken scapula as well as ataxia. You can see in this video clip that the bird stumbles a few times while

The Killdeer is one shorebird you can see without going to the beach. They can be found in open areas, fields, golf courses, and parking lots across the state. They’ve even developed a “broken-wing” act, in which it flutters along the ground in a show of injury, luring intruders away from its nest. They can be seen any time of year in NC but are migratory in other parts of the country. Killdeer. 📹: Sunil Bhavsar/Audubon Photography Awards 📸: Mary-Ellen Cross/Audubon Photography Awards | Audubo

The killdeer looks injured, but it’s all an act. She pretends to be hurt to trick predators and keep her nest safe. #interestingfacts​ #unique​ #educational | Tech Today

KILLDEER -- The killdeer is a familiar “shorebird,” but we don’t always see it near shores. And while many bird species try to conceal their nest and young, killdeer have a unique way of keeping predators away from their nest. Get the details in this short video. #WisdomWednesday -- Kristie@MDC | Missouri Dept. of Conservation